Enucleation

Enucleation is a medical procedure that involves the removal of the eye, leaving the eye muscles and remaining orbital contents intact. This procedure is usually performed to remove eyes that have been blinded by a disease or have suffered severe trauma. The most common diseases that require enucleation include uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, and endophthalmitis.

Procedure

The procedure of enucleation involves the surgical removal of the eye. The surgeon first detaches the muscles attached to the outer surface of the eyeball and then cuts the optic nerve to remove the eye. After the eye is removed, an orbital implant is usually inserted in the empty socket to replace the volume of the removed eye and to maintain the structure of the eye socket. The implant is then covered with the patient's own tissue, and a temporary transparent shell is placed over the implant until the socket heals.

Postoperative Care

After the surgery, the patient is usually given a course of antibiotics and painkillers to prevent infection and manage pain. The patient is also advised to avoid strenuous activities and to keep the head elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling. The temporary shell is replaced with a custom-made ocular prosthesis once the socket has healed.

Complications

Complications of enucleation can include infection, bleeding, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Long-term complications can include socket discomfort, discharge, and difficulties with the prosthesis.

See Also

• Evisceration
• Exenteration
• Orbital Implant
• Ocular Prosthesis