Evisceration (ophthalmology)

Evisceration (ophthalmology) is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the eye's contents, leaving the scleral shell and extraocular muscles intact. This procedure is typically performed to alleviate pain or to reduce the risk of sympathetic ophthalmia following a severe eye injury.

Indications

Evisceration is indicated in cases of painful blind eyes, Phthisis bulbi, and Endophthalmitis. It is also used as a cosmetic procedure for eyes that have been severely disfigured by trauma or disease.

Procedure

The procedure involves making an incision in the conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule, followed by the removal of the cornea. The contents of the eye are then removed, leaving the scleral shell intact. A spherical implant is placed in the empty scleral shell to replace the volume of the removed eye contents. The conjunctiva and Tenon's capsule are then sutured back together.

Complications

Possible complications of evisceration include infection, extrusion of the implant, and sympathetic ophthalmia. However, the risk of sympathetic ophthalmia following evisceration is significantly lower than following enucleation.

See also

• Enucleation (eye)
• Exenteration
• Eye surgery
• Ophthalmology

References

• 
  Diagram showing the process of evisceration in ophthalmology.