Enucleation and Evisceration

Enucleation and evisceration are procedures used to remove a diseased eye. During an evisceration the contents of the eye and the cornea are removed, but the sclera, or outer covering of the eye, remains. During an enucleation the entire eyeball is removed.

Reasons for removal of an eye

Blind, painful eye – In some cases, blind eyes can become painful because of increased pressure or inflammation. Pain can sometimes be controlled with eye drops. If the eye is still uncomfortable, you may consider having alcohol injected behind the eye. This can be performed in the office and, in many cases, controls pain for months. The injection can be repeated. Swelling, drooping of the eyelid and poor motion of the eye may be temporary or permanent side effects.

If a blind eye is painful you may also elect to have the eye removed. In most cases removal of the eye leads to dramatic pain relief.

Cosmetically unacceptable blind eye – A blind eye may become shrunken or have an unsightly appearance. A scleral shell resembles a large contact lens and is made of hard acrylic painted to resemble an eye. A scleral shell is worn in front of your natural eye. This prosthesis is custom made by an ocularist, a medical practitioner who specializes in making “artificial” or prosthetic eyes.

In many cases, the natural blind eye is too sensitive to tolerate a scleral shell, and you may elect to have the unsightly eye removed. After surgery, you can be fit with an artificial eye, improving your appearance.

Infection – Occasionally an eye can become so severely infected that there is no hope of recovery. The eye is then removed in order to prevent the spread of the infection to the tissue around the eye and to the rest of the body. In most cases of infection, an evisceration is performed. An evisceration removes the internal contents of the eye and leaves the sclera to prevent spread of the infection to the tissues around the eye. If the sclera, the outer covering of the eye, is also infected then an enucleation, with complete removal of the eye, is necessary.

Tumor – Some eyes with a cancerous growth are removed to prevent spread of the cancer. In these cases, an enucleation with complete removal of the eyeball is necessary.

What happens when your eyeball is removed?

At the time of enucleation or evisceration an implant is placed within the orbit or within the remaining scleral shell to replace the missing socket volume and to allow the remaining ocular muscles to function. The implant is buried in the socket tissue.

When the socket has healed it will appear like a pink pocket behind the eyelids. The buried implant will move in the pocket with movement of the other eye.

After your socket has healed, you may obtain an artificial eye, called a prosthesis. A prosthesis is a hard acrylic shell which is held in position by the eyelids. A prosthesis is made by an ocularist. The ocularist takes a mold of you socket, from which the custom prosthesis is made. It typically takes at least two visits to make a prosthesis. The artificial eye can be expensive, and the costs are not covered or only partially covered by most insurance plans.

Type of Implant

After deciding on the procedure to remove the eye, you and your surgeon should discuss the type of orbital implant that will be placed into the socket during surgery.

In general, there are two types of implants in common use. One type of implant is a solid ball, sometimes called a Jardon. In many people a solid implant is the best choice. A solid implant produces an acceptable socket appearance and has a very low rate of complications. However, with time, this implant may slip in the orbit causing a sunken appearance to the socket.

The second type of implant is an “integrated” implant made of porous material. The tissue from your orbit will grow into small the small holes, in effect making the implant part of your body. This ingrowth of tissue prevents slippage within the socket.

An additional advantage of an integrated orbital implant is the possibility of having a motility peg placed improving movement of the prosthesis. Without a motility peg, implant movement if often not transmitted well to the prosthesis. The prosthesis will not move as well as the normal eye. A motility peg can be placed in an integrated implant, connecting the implant to the prosthesis and producing more natural movement. However, peg placement can result in long-term problems and is becoming less popular. A motility peg cannot be placed in a solid implant.

Post-operative Care

In many cases you will admitted to the hospital overnight after the procedure for pain control. Usually the acute pain resolves after a day or two. However, many people describe a dull headache after surgery, which lasts about two weeks.

After surgery the operated eye will be patched for several days. While the patch is in place, no special care of the socket is needed except to keep the bandage dry. After removing the patch you will be instructed to place an antibiotic ointment into the socket. After removing the patch you may bathe freely, and the eyelids can be cleaned normally with soap and water. Please do not clean or rub the inside of the socket.

For two weeks after surgery please do not expose the socket to dirt, go swimming, or lift objects over twenty pounds.

Approximately two weeks after the procedure Dr. Goldberg will place a temporary clear ocular prosthesis into your socket. This will remain in place until you are fit for your artificial eye by an ocularist. You should wait at least eight weeks after an evisceration and ten weeks after an enucleation before the ocularist fits an artificial eye. If an artificial eye is not fit within a few months of the procedure the socket may shrink, and it may become difficult to wear an appropriate artificial eye.

Secondary Surgery in People Wearing Artificial Eyes

In some cases, people wearing an artificial eye will require additional surgery. After wearing a prosthesis for a number of years, the soft tissue of the eyelids and sockets can change.

Lower lid looseness and Socket Shrinkage

After supporting the ocular prosthesis for a number of years, the lower lid may loosen. This results in exposure of the prosthesis below the iris. This is often associated with shrinkage of the lower socket or “pocket”. This may result in the artificial eye falling out.

The lower lid is tightened with an incision at the outside corner of the eyelids. A shrunken pocket can be expanded with a graft from the inside of the lower lip or with donated material.

Upper lid Drooping and Sinking

After surgery most patients have a somewhat sunken appearance of the upper lid. You may require a larger orbital implant or a fat graft can be taken from your hip and placed into the upper lid to fill out the eyelid.

Also, the upper lid can droop, called ptosis. Modifying the ocular prosthesis can raise the eyelid. If modifying the implant is not effective, the muscle which raises the eyelid can be tightened.

Orbital Implant Exposure

The tissue in the socket can break down, causing exposure of the orbital implant. In patients with an older style implant, covered with metallic mesh, the implant itself must be removed and replaced. If an “integrated” implant becomes exposed, the implant can usually be left in the socket. During surgical repair, the exposed area is smoothed and covered with a graft.

Not every condition is listed. Consult Dr. Goldberg if you have any questions about a condition not described here.