On the day of your operation, what happens right before and after eye removal surgery of either evisceration or enucleation is as follows:
● Both procedures are performed in the operating room, and you will be given either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation medicine.
● A marble-like implant is inserted inside the eye to fill the empty socket.
● The six extraocular eye muscles are sewn to the implant during enucleation. Evisceration preserves the muscles’ attachment to the sclera, eliminating the need for surgery.
● A conformer is a temporary plastic prosthetic that is mounted over the implant. The conformer promotes regeneration and acts as a stopgap between the eyelids and the orbital implant, where the final prosthetic will be placed six to eight weeks later.
● The eyelid can be sewn shut to aid wound healing and keep the conformer in place.
● To secure the wound and avoid bleeding, a large pressure bandage or dressing is taped over the eye. It also aids in the reduction of inflammation (swelling, soreness, and bruising).
● Both surgeries take about an hour on average. In most cases, the surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you can return home the same day.
After the Surgery
Drive home. You are not permitted to drive yourself home since driving after having anesthesia can be risky. It would be best if you were brought home by an adult other than a ride-sharing service unless they have special qualifications.
Medication. You may be given pain medicine, but most people can get by with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Restrictions. Swimming, strenuous exercise, and other physically exhausting tasks are prohibited for a period of two to four weeks. For up to a month, you should avoid bending at the waist and carrying heavy items.
Keep the bandage covering the eye dry at all times. The bandage may itch or be uncomfortable at times, but it’s critical to keep it on as long as your surgeon instructs. The bandage will usually be removed the next day.
Follow-up. A week after the surgery, you will have a follow-up test. If you haven’t already done so, the surgeon will remove the bandage and examine your eye to see how it is healing.
Prosthetic. Your ocularist will fit you for your custom prosthetic when your surgeon determines that your eye is completely healed. Six to eight weeks after surgery, the majority of patients are eligible for their prosthetic.
If you clean and repair your prosthesis correctly, it will last for decades. Follow-up appointments with the ophthalmologist and surgeon should be scheduled once or twice a year. They will clean and polish your prosthetic as well as check the condition of your eye socket.
Problems That Could Arise From Eye Removal Surgery
The following are some of the issues that may arise as a result of eye removal surgery:
● Bleeding
● Infection
● Leaving scars
● Droopy eyelids or trouble closing your eyes
● Implants that are coming out (extrusion)
In general, eye removal surgery is done to improve a person’s quality of life. It is used to treat life-threatening tumors or to help people with a sore, blind eye. The decision to have an eye removed could be one of the most challenging decisions you will ever have to make. However, it is hoped that the relief from pain and sickness will be life-enhancing, allowing you to live your life to the fullest.
