Making glass eyes
The Science Museum Group Collection includes many examples of artificial eyes. They are fascinating objects – but have you ever thought about how they are made?
The photographs in this series, taken in 1943, show Marjorie Chown and Connie Sayer making prosthetic glass eyes at the Optical Appliances Depot of the Ministry of Pensions, Liverpool.
Daily Herald Photograph: Making glass eyes Daily Herald Photograph: Making glass eyes (1957-07-18)National Science and Media Museum
The Ministry gave support to members of the armed forces and their families during the First World War, including the supply of artificial limbs and glass eyes.
‘Each one is a perfect work of art’
The photographs, taken by Saidman – one of two brothers working for the Daily Herald newspaper – accompanied this article. It states that more than 15,000 glass eyes had been supplied to those who had lost eyes during the war, both servicemen and civilians hurt during air raids.
A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes (1939)National Science and Media Museum
Creating the spill
The first part of the process was making a tube of glass. The maker, or operator, would apply heat and draw off a portion called a ‘spill’.
A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes (1957-07-18)National Science and Media Museum
Marjorie Chown is shown using a blow-pipe to form a globe from the spill, all the while applying heat. This globe would form the main part of the eye.
A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes (1939)National Science and Media Museum
Adding colour
The iris was expertly matched to the colour of the patient’s remaining eye using a combination of different coloured glass. The pupil was added to the centre of the iris using black glass.
The iris was then covered with a layer of clear crystal glass. This represented the cornea and created a realistic depth of colour to the eye. The different types of glass had to be made very carefully.
Daily Herald Photograph: Making glass eyes Daily Herald Photograph: Making glass eyes (1957-07-18)National Science and Media Museum
The article described the women making these eyes as ‘specially trained girls’ – typical language for the time – but their skill and knowledge is clearly evident: Marjorie Chown had been making glass eyes for seven years at the time of these photographs.
A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes (1936-02-24)National Science and Media Museum
Shaping and sizing the eye
After training in Manchester, the mainly female team, based in Northern England (we believe Liverpool), made artificial eyes for people throughout the UK. Here, Connie Sayers, who had been working in the department for four years, is pictured shaping the eye.
A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes A photographic print of Industry, Glass, Eyes (1938)National Science and Media Museum
The spill was carefully manipulated using heat applied at precise pressures, ensuring the eye was the right shape and size for its intended wearer. Once the operator was satisfied with the shape, the air would be drawn from the spill.
The final stages
The glass eye was then severed from the spill. In this photograph, other completed eyes are visible in the background.
Daily Herald Photograph: Making glass eyes Daily Herald Photograph: Making glass eyes (1938)National Science and Media Museum
The completed eye
Finally, the eye would be placed in a crucible containing hot wood ash and left to cool. The wearer would be fitted with their glass eye at a fitting centre; these were located throughout Britain, offering individual support to each person.
Artificial eyes today
Today, artificial eyes are typically made of acrylic and supplied by the NHS. While some still prefer glass eyes, there is just one traditional maker listed in the UK, and glass eye making was added to the Heritage Crafts Association’s ‘Red List of Endangered Crafts’ in 2021.
All images are from the Science Museum Group collection. Copyright Mirrorpix, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, and TopFoto.
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