Modern artificial eyes are made from Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)- a hard durable plastic, not glass as many people still think of artificial eyes being made from.

Glass eyes have a comparatively short life-span of approximately 12 months. Socket secretions and tears will gradually etch the surface of the glass eye, and such imperfections are impossible to polish off leaving no alternative but to replace the eye.

Acrylic eyes are the preferable choice, providing a much better fit. They can be cut, polished and adjusted for comfort, the colour is easier matched to the existing eye, and they do not shatter like glass ones can - and are easy to care for.

Rumours persist that there are artificial eyes made from coral. This is not true, but there do exist Orbital Implants that are made from coral - and others that have the same features as coral - but nowadays 99% all artificial eyes are plastic.