EVISCERATION/ENUCLEATION
Inland Empire's leading eyelid surgery center
Evisceration and enucleation are two services that fall under what is considered “eye removal surgery.” This may sound daunting, but there are a variety of instances in which it may be necessary. Still, such a procedure can be an incredibly challenging decision to make. At In Focus, our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make a decision, and then provide you with the treatment you need.
Evisceration & Enucleation Overview
Eye removal is never going to be an easy choice, but it can be the best option in some cases. These include trauma, cancer, end-stage eye disease, and more. By partially or completely removing the eye, we can prevent further complications down the road.
We strive to make the process as easy for you as possible if you are in need of this procedure.
Financing
What Do Evisceration and Enucleation Entail?
Eye removal surgery involves one of two distinct services: evisceration and enucleation. Both involve removing either the eye or the eye’s contents from the socket (although the scleral shell may or may not remain). In both cases, a spherical implant is inserted into the eye orbit, so that it can retain its volume. Either way, the external appearance of your eye should be the same.
Evisceration
- An evisceration removes the intraocular contents of your eye while keeping the scleral shell. Here, the implant is inserted into the scleral shell and attached to the extraocular muscles. This process is less disruptive to your orbital tissues and therefore is a shorter process. It is important to note that not every patient will be qualified for this procedure.
Enucleation
- An enucleation involves actually detaching the muscles keeping the eyeball in place, and removing the entire organ. Here, the implant is attached directly to the extraocular muscles, with the tissues surrounding the eye being closed over the implant. Although this is a more complicated procedure than evisceration, it is preferable for individuals suffering from certain kinds of trauma, such as sympathetic ophthalmia. It is also preferable for cancer patients since it involves the complete removal of tissues which may be malignant.
Both processes include general anesthesia. You will be completely asleep during this process and given a breathing tube. If you prefer monitored anesthesia care, you will not be put to sleep. But you will be given relaxing medication through an IV. Most patients will fall asleep anyway during this process, simply due to how relaxing it can be.
When the procedure is complete, a conformer is inserted into the socket to act as a placeholder for your eventual glass eye or prosthesis. The conformer resembles a large contact lens that ensures your eye socket can maintain its shape. You will usually be ready for the eye prosthesis around two months after the surgery.
How Do I Know In Focus Is the Right Choice for Me?
While many surgeons can handle this procedure, we at In Focus are the experts regarding matters of the eye. Our oculofacial microsurgeons are the best the Temecula area has to offer. We perform a variety of surgical operations on your eyes and the surrounding area to make sure you can always look-and see-your best. When you work with our doctors, you can count on a variety of advantages, including:
- Experience–We perform all manner of surgical operations on the eyes and surrounding tissue, including eviscerations and enucleations.
- Ability–You can trust that you are in good hands when you call on us. We understand that an eye removal procedure sounds daunting, but when you are at In Focus, you can rest assured that you are in capable hands.
- Knowledge–We keep up-to-date on all the latest innovations in our industry, so we can give you the treatment you deserve.
The Recovery Process?
After the procedure, we will provide you with a full list of instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. We understand wanting to return to your regular routine, but it is essential to give yourself time to recover.
We recommend avoiding the following for the first two-week recovery period:
- Heavy lifting
- Strenuous physical activity
- Machinery operation
- Dirty or dusty environments
You should also avoid swimming for the next three weeks. After about two months, you will heal enough to be fitted for a prosthesis if you want. Make sure you keep this in mind while you schedule your surgery and the surrounding timeframe.
You will have a large patch placed over your eye during the healing process. It may seem slightly irritating or uncomfortable, but it is integral that you avoid adjusting the patch. Leaving it alone is essential to keep swelling down.
Any discomfort can be managed with medication as well.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Contact In Focus today, and we will set up a consultation. While here, we will examine your specific situation and decide which procedure is best for you. We will explain the entire process in detail to you, so you know exactly what we are doing and how it pertains to keeping you well. We also offer a comprehensive estimate as to the cost.
Eye removal surgery sounds daunting–we know how to make it as simple and easy as possible. At In Focus, we are here for you to make any evisceration or enuclean procedure as comfortable as possible. Call today to learn more about what we can do for you!
