Traumatic injuries to the eye or certain eye conditions such as glaucoma or cancer can lead to a blind, painful eye. In certain circumstances, your physician may consider referring you to Dr. Eftekhari for eye removal surgery.
Loss of an eye has distinct psychosocial impacts on every patient, and Dr. Eftekhari is experienced in guiding you through this difficult transition.
The spherical eye sits inside a larger eye socket. The primary goal of eye removal surgery is to provide relief of pain or cancer removal. The second goal is to provide the foundation for your eyelids to be able to be fit for a prosthesis. Dr. Eftekhari will refer you to an ocularist about 6 to 8 weeks after surgery once you are healed to be fit for your prosthetic eye.
The Procedure
Depending on the condition necessitating removal of the eye, Dr. Eftekhari may need to remove the tissues within the eye or remove the eye itself and detach it from the eye muscles. Dr. Eftekhari has extensive experience with both kinds of surgery. The surgery takes about 60 minutes to perform, and afterwards Dr. Eftekhari will put a patch over the eye.
Enucleation / Evisceration of Eye
Enucleation and evisceration are surgical procedures performed to remove the eye from its socket. Enucleation involves removing the entire eyeball, while evisceration removes the contents of the eye, leaving the outer shell intact. These procedures are typically performed to treat severe eye diseases or trauma, alleviate pain, or address cosmetic concerns. Dr. Kian Eftekhari at Eyelid Center of Utah specializes in oculofacial plastic surgery and offers expert care for patients undergoing enucleation or evisceration.
During enucleation, the eye muscles are detached from the eyeball, and the optic nerve is cut. The eyeball is then removed, and the eye socket is prepared to receive an orbital implant. In evisceration, the cornea and contents of the eye are removed through a small incision, leaving the sclera intact. An orbital implant is often placed to maintain the shape of the eye socket.
Recovery from the Procedure
After eye removal surgery, Dr. Eftekhari will prescribe an oral pain medication and an antibiotic eye ointment to be placed on top of the eyelashes. Once you have healed, Dr. Eftekhari will refer you to an ocularist for fitting of your prosthetic eye.
Causes of Eye Loss
Eye loss, or Anophthalmos, can occur due to various reasons, including:
- Traumatic Injuries: Severe trauma to the eye from accidents, injuries, or surgical complications can lead to irreparable damage necessitating eye removal.
- Disease or Infection: Certain eye conditions such as advanced glaucoma, end-stage diabetic retinopathy, or severe infections can result in irreversible damage to the eye tissues, requiring removal.
- Congenital Conditions: Some individuals are born with Anophthalmos or microphthalmia, where the eye fails to develop properly during gestation.
- Eye Cancer: Malignant tumors within the eye, such as retinoblastoma or ocular melanoma, may require enucleation (eye removal) as part of cancer treatment.
- Complications of Eye Surgery: In rare cases, complications arising from eye surgeries, such as retinal detachment surgeries or cataract procedures, may lead to the need for eye removal.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Removal Surgery (Anophthalmos)
Eye removal surgery, or enucleation, is a procedure performed at the Eyelid Center of Utah by Dr. Kian Eftekhari to remove a blind, painful eye or a severely damaged eye due to trauma, disease, or other conditions. It aims to alleviate pain, prevent complications, and restore the patient's quality of life.
Eye removal surgery may be necessary at the Eyelid Center of Utah for various reasons, including severe trauma to the eye, end-stage eye diseases like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, congenital anomalies such as microphthalmia or anophthalmia, and eye cancer (ocular melanoma or retinoblastoma).
During the procedure performed by Dr. Kian Eftekhari at the Eyelid Center of Utah, the ophthalmologist removes the entire eye or the damaged tissues within the eye, detaching it from the eye muscles. The surgery typically takes about 60 minutes, and the eye is covered with a patch afterward.
After surgery at the Eyelid Center of Utah, patients may experience some discomfort and will be prescribed oral pain medication and antibiotic eye ointment. Healing usually takes several weeks, after which patients are referred to an ocularist for fitting of a prosthetic eye (ocular prosthesis).
While eye removal surgery performed by Dr. Kian Eftekhari at the Eyelid Center of Utah is generally safe, as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications, including infection, bleeding, changes in vision, and socket complications. However, these risks are minimized with proper preoperative evaluation and postoperative care.
Patients at the Eyelid Center of Utah are typically referred to an ocularist for prosthetic eye fitting about 6 to 8 weeks after eye removal surgery, once the eye socket has healed adequately. The ocularist will custom-make a prosthetic eye to match the size, shape, and color of the natural eye.
Yes, regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Kian Eftekhari at the Eyelid Center of Utah are essential to monitor healing, assess prosthetic eye fit and function, and address any concerns or complications that may arise.
Preparing for eye removal surgery at the Eyelid Center of Utah involves discussing the procedure, risks, and expectations with Dr. Kian Eftekhari, arranging for transportation to and from the surgery, and following any preoperative instructions provided, such as fasting guidelines and medication adjustments.
Eye removal surgery performed by Dr. Kian Eftekhari at the Eyelid Center of Utah is often covered by health insurance, especially when deemed medically necessary to alleviate pain or treat a severe eye condition. However, coverage may vary depending on your insurance plan, so it's essential to check with your provider beforehand.
For more information about eye removal surgery, Anophthalmos, and prosthetic eye options at the Eyelid Center of Utah, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Kian Eftekhari. Additionally, reputable medical websites and support organizations dedicated to eye health and vision care can provide valuable resources and insights.
Enucleation involves the complete removal of the eyeball, including the surrounding tissues, while evisceration removes only the contents of the eye, leaving the outer shell (sclera) intact. Both procedures are performed to address severe eye conditions or trauma.
Recovery times vary, but patients typically experience temporary swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the eye socket. Full recovery can take several weeks to months, and patients will receive post-operative care instructions from their surgeon.
Yes, after enucleation or evisceration, patients can be fitted with an ocular prosthesis or artificial eye. These prosthetic devices are custom-made to match the remaining eye and are designed for both cosmetic and functional purposes.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and potential complications, including infection, bleeding, socket complications, and changes in appearance. However, these risks can be minimized with proper preoperative evaluation and post-operative care.
Enucleation or evisceration surgery can alleviate pain, improve cosmesis, and restore function in cases of severe eye disease or trauma. While these procedures involve the loss of the natural eye, they can significantly enhance a patient's quality of life by relieving symptoms and restoring confidence in appearance.
Contact Us for Your Personalized Consultation
For personalized consultation and compassionate care for eye removal surgery with Dr. Kian Eftekhari at the Eyelid Center of Utah, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and guidance throughout your journey. Schedule your appointment today to take the first step towards optimal eye health and well-being.