[ incidence and causes of enucleation and evisceration in Khuzestan province]

ABSTRACT

Enucleation is surgical removal of the eye to enhance patients comfort and cosmetics, to protect vision in the fellow eye, or to safeguard life. In evisceration the eye content is removed. This procedure will affect the psychological and socioeconomic activity of the patients. The present study was undertaken to determine the incidence and causes of enucleation and evisceration in hospitals of Khuzestan province. This retrospective study was carried out to determine the incidence and causes of enucleation and evisceration in Khuzestan from 2002 to 2007, based on patients' medical records and additional information received by calling the patients. This study included 283 eyes [265 enucleated and 18 eviscerated cases] with or without hydroxyl opatite. There were 162 males and 121 females [age range 1 to 98 years; mean 44 years]. The mean incidence was 13 cases per 1,000,000 in the general population. The indications for enucleation were trauma [n=85], infection [corneal ulcer, endophthalmitis] [n=41], blind painful eye [n=35] phthisis bulbi [n=30], advanced glaucoma and high IOP [n=29], tumors [n=25], corneal opacity and vascularization [n=16], congenital dysgenics [n=11] and unknown causes [n=11]. This study showed that the main causes of enucleation were trauma, infection and advanced glaucoma. Furthermore, the incidence of this procedure could be reduced by appropriate medical care, early diagnosis and treatment. Propaganda for prevention of eye trauma through the use of protective devices in industrial, educational and sports centers and use of safety belts and airbags in cars can be useful preventing measures: