Orbit: Evisceration

Abstract

Evisceration can be performed for the management of a chronic blind painful eye or for the treatment of acute endophthalmitis with no light perception. When compared to enucleation, it offers several advantages: A shorter operating time, quicker postoperative recovery, and-according to some surgeons-better socket motility and a decreased risk of anophthalmic socket syndrome. It is not an appropriate procedure, however, for phthisical eyes, extensively traumatized eyes with an increased risk of sympathetic ophthalmia, or eyes in which an occult intraocular tumor has not been ruled out preoperatively. It should also be avoided in patients with history of scleral inflammation, orbital hardware placement, or if there is any reason to suspect that the source of pain is intrinsic to the outer layers of the globe.