EVISCERATION OF THE EYE
Evisceration of the eye implicates removal of the content of the eye ball. This is done to relieve a blind and painful eye due to injury and/or infection when the eye is completely destroyed and blind. It commonly stated that evisceration will prevent the occurence of sympathetic ophtalmia - a condition which could destroy the contralateral (other) eye. Although we see a lot of chronic and neglected severe infections, I have untill now not seen a patient with that entity.
This is a case of staphyloma, a chronic infection with the eye content bulging through the cornea.
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The procedure is done under local anesthesia with an eye block
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It is an advantage to use a small eye lid retractor.
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The conjunctiva is separated from the sclera and a circumferential incision is made around the cornea to open the eye.
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The content of the eye bulb is scoped out with a small spoon (not shown) and the interior is whipped clean with gauze.
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The opening is sutured with absorbable suture leaving a small glove drain inside (optional)
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The eye is covered with a bandage. The drain is removed after 24 hours.
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A prosthesis can be fitted later.
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Surgery performed by Obo Dagafu, Ophthalmic Nurse.