Excerpt from: "The ABC's of Conservation"
Sleep eyes that are still in place in the head should
not be tampered with, even if they have fallen inward slightly. Often
the original setting can simply be re-glued to tighten the eyes. If the
eyes have fallen in, but the original plaster is there, try to re-glue
that in place rather than making a new plaster support.
Eyes are supported inside the head with cotton
batting and very carefully cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in a solution
of half distilled water and half alcohol. Roll the swab over a paper
towel so that the swab is only very slightly damp. Do not
push inward.