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In the realm of ocular prosthetics, Christina Leitzel, a proficient ocularist, was instructed during her training to craft artificial eyes with the precision of a master art forger, replicating the intricate beauty of nature’s design.
However, Leitzel believes that there are numerous ways one can acquire an artificial eye, just as there are manifold reasons for losing a natural one—whether due to disease, injury, or a myriad of other causes.
On a misty afternoon in Portland, Oregon, a man in his thirties, who had recently lost his eye in a BB gun mishap, emerged from Leitzel’s office with a grin. His artificial eye mirrored the forest green hue of his beanie, but with a mesmerizing gold vortex spinning within the iris.
The Allure of “Fun Eyes”
Known as “Christina Oculara” on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Leitzel specializes in creating what she calls “fun eyes.” Her repertoire includes designs featuring pupils shaped like sunflowers and the distinctive vertical slit of a cat’s eye. Leitzel has fulfilled unconventional requests that are both unusual and emotionally resonant:
- A man who brought a box of ashes, wishing for his late wife to “see” through his new eye.
- A woman adorned with piercings who considered adding a pierced iris to her collection.
A Popular Viral Video
The pierced iris design proved to be one of Leitzel’s favorites, and the corresponding TikTok video garnered such popularity that eye care professionals felt compelled to issue warnings against piercing real eyeballs.
The Impact of Social Media
Social media has transformed Leitzel’s practice into a haven for individuals with one eye. She posits that while blending in may offer comfort to fully sighted individuals, those who are not may prefer to embrace their uniqueness and spark conversation.
“Ultimately, I want my patients to find joy and contentment,” Leitzel stated. “They must feel at ease with their appearance.”
The Art and Science of Ocularistry
Ocularistry, Leitzel’s profession, demands extensive training—typically five years or more—in designing, fabricating, and maintaining ocular prosthetics. Some colleagues express concern that her “fun” eyes may blur the lines between medical devices and cosplay accessories.
A few years ago, Leitzel’s professional association criticized one of her designs, asserting that it “demeaned the profession.” The controversial design featured a cartoonish phallus.
Ensuring Patient Satisfaction
To mitigate potential regrets, Leitzel requires new patients to initially receive a standard prosthetic, which typically costs around $5,000 before insurance coverage. Subsequently, if desired, she creates a fun eye for an additional $500. Along with Rachel Yee, a friend and patient, she funds these expenses through a nonprofit organization called the Fun Eye Fund.
Leitzel’s journey into ocularistry was serendipitous. During her time at an art school in Philadelphia, a classmate removed her eye and handed it to her. Intrigued, Leitzel discovered that the prosthetic was meticulously hand-painted, unlike the glass orbs often depicted in films. Her classmate directed her to an ocularist, who then took her on as an apprentice.
During her apprenticeship, Leitzel learned the intricacies of eye crafting: how to create molds using alginate, a natural putty, and how to achieve the illusion of dilation by expertly layering pigments.
Attention to Detail
Leitzel incorporates red threads into the resin to mimic the appearance of veins. To capture the subtle nuances of irritation in the eye, she inquires about her patients’ sleep patterns and any recreational substance use. (“It’s Portland, after all,” she remarked.)
Building Patient Trust
Leitzel also listens to her patients’ narratives of accidents and surgeries. For some, she averts mirrors during fittings, understanding that the sight of their empty socket may be too distressing to bear.
A Story of Transformation
In 2021, Leitzel met Rachel Yee, who had lost her eye to cancer as a toddler. Yee, then 31, had long desired an eye with a gold, glittering pupil. However, previous ocularists had declined her request, citing it as outside their scope of work. Leitzel, however, did not dissuade her.
Yee recalled that it was the first time she was truly content with a new prosthetic. Initially, she wore it only among friends, uncertain about handling public attention. She continued to use her realistic prosthetic eye instead.
When Yee later encountered derogatory comments on TikTok about her unique eye, she resolved to embrace her difference. “It’s human nature to notice variations in people’s faces,” Yee stated. “If they’re going to look, I wanted to give them something captivating to observe.”
Today, Yee possesses dozens of fun designs by Leitzel and reserves her realistic eye for rare occasions, like renewing her driver’s license. “It depends on my mood—and my outfit,” Yee said. Jet black for the gym. Pearly white, adorned with Swarovski crystals and gold under the protective acrylic layer, for her wedding.
Innovation and Experimentation
Not all of Leitzel’s experimental designs succeed. Attempts to embed insects—a bee, a scorpion—resulted in crushed remnants, though the latter surprisingly glowed under a black light.
Leitzel’s latest endeavor involves creating a snow-globe effect, with glitter suspended in diluted glycerin. However, the project has yet to meet her expectations. “Liquid is not a viable option,” she conceded, scrutinizing the translucent plastic between her fingers. “At least, not until I perfect it.”