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How to Replace an Eye for a Doll

Most dolls are meant to take heavy wear and tear: Hair can be pulled out, clothes torn and eyes damaged. Doll eyes can be mended or replaced in several different ways, depending on the extent of the damage. Some may need just a simple paint job with a fine brush and acrylic paint. Others may require removal and replacement of the entire eye.

Things You'll Need

Replacement eye, matched to damaged eye's shape and size
Tweezers
Needle-nose pliers
Craft glue
Blow dryer

Instructions

- 1
  Place the doll on your work surface. Pop off the head by twisting it at the neck joint. Set the body aside.
- 2
  Set the blow dryer to medium heat and blow heated air around the eye area. This will help soften the material of the doll's head and loosen the eye from the socket.
- 3
  Pry the socket away from the eye with tweezers. Squeeze the eye socket from the front of the doll's face between your index finger and thumb and pop the eyeball out of the socket.
- 4
  Apply a small amount of craft glue to the back and sides of the replacement eye. Keep glue away from the front of the eye. Hold the eye with needle-nose pliers and press it into the socket. Adjust the eye with your fingers as needed.
- 5
  Set the blow dryer to cool. Blow air onto the eye to help the glue dry more quickly.
- 6
  Replace the doll's head on the doll's body.

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