Evisceration (ophthalmology)

Ocular evisceration is the removal of the eye's contents, leaving the scleral shell and extraocular muscles intact.

[1][2] An ocular prosthetic can be later fitted over the eviscerated eye in order to improve cosmetic appearance.

Evisceration was first described by Bear in 1817 as an experimental treatment for expulsive hemorrhage, and with the advent of general anesthesia in the 1840’s the procedure was refined and ocular implants were developed.

[6] The most common indications for evisceration include a blind painful eye, trauma, or infection.

[2][7][8] Pre-Operative Evaluation Prior to surgery, the eye must be carefully examined by an ophthalmologist to check for ocular cancer or other conditions that may complicate the procedure.

[7] If neither clinical evaluation nor imaging can rule out cancer, then enucleation may be considered as an alternative to prevent the possibility of malignant spread.

[10] Prostheses Once the operating surgeon determines that the orbit has healed adequately, an ocularist can custom fit a prosthetic eye to improve cosmetic appearance.