Page 17 - Artificial Eyes

Prior to World War II, most artificial eyes were made of glass; a material which could be used to produce a very realistic effect, but

which was quite fragile. The war severely limited the availability of glass eyes, the best of which had, until then, been made in
Germany. The search for a substitute material led to plastics; and, in the 1940s, several researchers independently "invented" the plastic
eye. The Erickson brothers, John ("Jack") and Charles ("Charlie"), opticians doing business in the Pacific Northwest, used a newly

developed, non-irritating, durable plastic that could be custom-shaped, fitted, tinted and detailed to achieve a very natural effect.

The development of the plastic eye also took another direction, one that was different from the Yamout'. This development was based
upon the idea that the glass eye could be replaced by a limited number of stock blanks that could be modified to fit the individual
wearer. Although this type of eye is still available, its use is in decline, primarily due to the efforts of the American Society of

Ocularists to educate patients about the advantages of the custom prosthesis. Erickson’s has always believed that the individually
created eye is far superior in all critical areas including fit, comfort, and appearance.

Ours is truly personalized work, with quality evaluation at specific stages throughout the process. We are devoted to our craft, and we
continually refine both our materials and our techniques. Having served doctors and patients for three generations, Erickson’s

ocularists have never been interested in being the biggest, only the best. Today, Leif, Lars and Stacey Erickson carry on that family
tradition.