Ptosis Crutch?

**chip anderson** · 05-15-2005, 08:49 PM

Anyone know where I can get ptosis crutch for plastic besides Frannel? Seems to be on indefinite Back Order there.

Chip

**rbaker** · 05-15-2005, 11:18 PM

Chip,

We always made them ourselves. Back in the gold filled days we saved old frames and used to fabricate a lot of "stuff" like ptosis crutches, weird guard arms, etc. The last ptosis crutch I made was with an inch and a half of 6 guage copper wire that I found in the cellar after a visit from the electrician.

Strip off the insulation and hammer 1/4 inch of the end flat. Drill a couple of #62 ( I think ) holes and mount to zyle frame with either glass screws or apoxy the sucker to the frame. The copper is nice and maliable so you can ditz around with it to your hearts content. You can even reinstall the insulation or use heat shrink for that proper fashion touch and an extra $25.00

I used to enjoy that type of work but you don't see much of it anymore.

**JRS** · 05-16-2005, 12:27 AM

Built many of those many years back. Labs don't biuld them anymore?

**PAkev** · 05-16-2005, 06:11 AM

If you mount the crutch directly to the lens, you don't have to worry about using a metal or plastic frame, just be sure to use poly material. Old rimless mountings work well for this purpose. Use a frame with deeper than usual B measurement and polycarb lenses to mount the crutch as close to the top as possible.

I've also inverted rimless bridges on the lens backside so that the silicone nose pad could be positioned to hold the eyelid open.

Good luck

**Chris Ryser** · 05-16-2005, 08:12 AM

How about the opthalmologist doing the new operation method for this purpose?

**Joann Raytar** · 05-16-2005, 08:44 AM

Chip,

I know Hilco repair installs them; they might supply them as well but I didn't see them listed in the online catalogue.

**icey** · 05-16-2005, 08:44 PM

paperclip!!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**chip anderson** · 05-16-2005, 08:50 PM

Not to worry, I can make from scratch, just wished there were some nice neat commercial model available.

Using this after the wonderfull opthalmic plastic surgeon failed in three attempts.

Chip

**Jacqui** · 05-16-2005, 09:28 PM

Made some and seen more made when I was with AO 30+ years ago.

**Ed_Optician** · 05-20-2005, 04:17 PM

I know Hildo's repair service does them. Hot Shots in Carlsbad CA I know can do them. If you solder fabricating one should not be difficult just cover it with heat shrink tubing to make it more comfortable.

Ed

**chip anderson** · 05-20-2005, 04:37 PM

Prechate it Ed, but this is a plastic frame.

**hcjilson** · 05-20-2005, 05:01 PM

back in the olden days we made them for zyl frames out of riding bow temples usually from childrens frames. We fused them with acetone.Boy I am glad its not the olden days anymore!