This procedure, which can be adapted to include certain hearing aids, offers a superior cosmetic result which is easier for the patient to manage. Occasionally glass eyes can be provided for those with a recognised medical allergy to plastic. The life expectancy of orbital prostheses is about 5 years and patients are recommended to attend for an annual check up and polish. Overall treatment time, from first appointment following enucleation, or removal of eye, is about 22 weeks, with priority given to new patients and children. Funded by the NHS to supply and fit all NHS patients in England, AES maintains a staff of 51 people.
Different arrangements exist for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
AES serves around 40,000 patients who attend approximately 30,000 appointments a year. National Health and War Pension patients are treated free of charge. The AES Production Laboratories have been assessed to BS5750 through the DOH Manufacturing Registration Scheme and they aspire to run their services to the same high quality. AES prosthetists are aware of the support needs of people needing their service and invite their patients to contact them by phone or appointment at any time. AES Centres are located in Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Exeter, Harold Wood, London, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle on Tyne, Nottingham, Oxford, Preston, Portsmouth and Sheffield.