Provided are an artificial glass eye and methods of manufacturing such an artificial glass eye, wherein the methods comprise fusing together at least two pre-formed glass components. The eye is prepared from components including representations of the sclera, pupil, iris and cornea that are designed to fit together to form a realistic artificial glass eye. The components are designed to advantageously avoid trapping air between the components when heated, thereby reducing the possibility of fracture during fusion of the components into the final product. Also provided is a method for preparing a combined iris/pupil combined component to avoid the iris component and the pupil component from moving from their intended positions relative to each other during handling or processing.