A patient might decide to have eye removal surgery for a few different reasons. From chronic pain to cancer to severe infection, getting rid of the troublesome eye could end your suffering. Our oculofacial surgeons at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center will inform you if they believe eye removal is the best solution for your condition.
- Total/Partial Eye Removal: Many different eye diseases can result in blindness and chronic pain. Sometimes, removal of the eye (enucleation or evisceration) is the best solution, and your oculofacial surgeon can discuss the options with you. After the eye is removed, most patients are able to be fit with an ocular prosthesis (glass eye) to restore a natural appearance.
- Cancer-Related Eye Removal: There are many types of cancers that can occur inside the eye, including melanoma and retinoblastoma. Sometimes, they can be treated with radiation or other modalities, but in other cases the eye may need to be removed.
- Infections: Severe infections inside the eye (endophthalmitis) can often be controlled with antibiotics and surgery, but sometimes removal of the eye is required.
- Implants and Reconstruction: Removal of the eye is sometimes followed by implant problems, tissue scarring or other complications that prevent wearing a prosthesis. Secondary implants and/or other reconstructive procedures can often solve some of these problems.