Various types of so-called occlusion foils are used in medicine. For example, the ophthalmologist uses occlusion films to treat double vision and for the dentist they are diagnostic tools. Ophthalmic occlusion film is a pleasant and gentle alternative to the conventional eye patch.
What is the occlusion film?
Ophthalmologist uses occlusion films for example to treat double vision and for dentist they are diagnostic tools. Occlusion foils are used in dentistry for diagnostic purposes and in this context they are used to diagnose nonocclusion or occlusion. Nonocclusion is understood by the dentist as a lack of contact between the rows of teeth of the lower and upper jaw, which has pathological value. Deviations from the physiological occlusion points are also known as malocclusions or malocclusions and can not only be diagnosed with the help of the occlusion foil, but also their extent can be assessed and subsequently treated in a targeted manner. The occlusal foil, as it is used in ophthalmology, is to be distinguished from this. In this medical field, instead of a diagnostic instrument, the term refers to a therapeutic agent, also known as a bangerter film. In connection with diseases of the eye, occlusions are performed with the foil. That is, the foils are used to selectively cover an eye.
Forms, types and kinds
Dental occlusal films are fundamentally different from ophthalmic occlusal films. In ophthalmology, the thin films with dimensions of about 4 by 5 centimeters are available. These covers have different degrees of light transmission. Full light transmission, as it would be without the film, is given a value of one in this context. Occlusion films have a value between 0.1 and 0.8. Depending on the reason for occlusion, the degree of transparency can therefore vary significantly. For children, the foils are often available with printed motifs. Adults usually choose an inconspicuous design. Dental occlusion foils, on the other hand, are 12-µm-thick pieces of foil in a variety of colors that are needed to verify and visually represent dynamic occlusion.
Structure and function
Ophthalmic occlusion foils are self-adhesive. As such, they adhere to eyeglass lenses on their own and can be easily affixed to eyeglasses with the purpose of occlusion. This makes them an alternative to conventional eye patches. As a rule, the foils are made of lightweight materials and, because they are attached to the glasses, are much more comfortable to wear than the patch. The skin does not come into contact with the film, or only to a lesser extent. Therefore, with these means of therapy, irritation of the skin is virtually eliminated, as often occurs with the conventional eye patch. The dental occlusion foils are thin color bands. They are also called articulation foils, where articulation in occlusion means the displacement of the two rows of teeth against each other, as it occurs by sliding movements through the lower jaw. The slides can be used to visualize and thus check both the contact points and the sliding movements of the rows of teeth. Usually, the patient is made to chew and close the jaw for this purpose, and the foil is placed between his lower and upper jaw. The different colors of the foils help to clearly map the patterns of chewing and closing movements on the surfaces of the occlusion. If any interfering contacts or disruptive glide paths between the two jaw surfaces are identified in this way, the dentist will grind down these areas at the points colored in contact with the foil so that a balance is established in articulation.
Medical and health benefits
The health benefit is given for both ophthalmic and dental occlusion foils. The ophthalmologist can unerringly diagnose and directly correct articulation problems thanks to the foils. At the ophthalmologist, occlusion foils are successfully used for the therapy of various eye diseases. For example, some eye muscle paralysis causes double vision. With an occlusion foil, the patient is freed from these double images and his healthy eye is less strained.In addition, with the relief from double vision, his quality of life increases. The same goal could be achieved with an eye patch. However, compared to a patch, the occlusion film offers the advantage of discretion above all. The films are inconspicuous and therefore usually more comfortable for the wearer. In addition to double vision, mild amblyopia with central fixation may also indicate occlusion film therapy. They may also be an option in the follow-up treatment of such eye diseases. If, for example, a patch occlusion was primarily applied, which has already shown first successes, then a disengaging occlusion can possibly be carried out with the help of the foils. In this context, the degree of translucency of the foils becomes relevant. This is especially true for foils on the glass of the guide eye. The more success is achieved in the course of the treatment, the more light transmission is chosen for the foils on the guide eye. Another option is the gradual shortening of the covering intervals on the higher vision guide eye. Both treatment methods have provided convincing success in the past. The exact procedure during treatment depends on each individual’s success and goals.
