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Eye evisceration
Are there any people here who have experience with having their eye eviserated. I hope I'm wording that correctly. Next week I'm scheduled to have my left eye eviserated. Although I've been blind in that eye for years due to chonic secondary glaucoma and uveitis and knew this day was coming, I'm still nervous. I think communicating with others who have gone through it would help. I'm not getting a full eye replacement right now. He's just going to put a white "ball" in there to hold the shape of the eye and I'll leave it at that for now. I'm in my 70s and want to keep the cost down so thought I'd just go with an eye patch for the time being so people don't have to look at a blank white false eye. The doctor said I could have a "lense" put on the "ball" at a later date if I wanted to.
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Hello, and sorry to hear about your eye. Also, sorry to hear you have to wait until July to talk to a knowledgeable doctor about your options. I had an evisceration one year ago after 40 years of uveitis and glaucoma in both eyes. Had the tubes inserted in the '90's but the one on my right eye began to fail in 2010 and had to be removed. I could have lost that eye then, but was afraid to. Hindsight as it is, wish I'd had guts back then. I was at risk for infection this time, and I have artificial joints all over my body so could not afford to risk that. I opted for the evisceration and ocular prosthesis. Um, currently, though, I had a bit of trouble with my prosthesis. It caused some irritation, and I am leaving it out until I see the surgeon again tomorrow. Treating it with amoxycillin and antibiotic ointment. I will need to have the prosthesis adjusted. I can update you tomorrow or Tuesday after I see the surgeon if you're interested. Otherwise, I'm happy to answer any questions that I can or offer support. Hang in there! I know it's hard to deal with a painful eye and the potential loss of something so precious. Wishing you all the best.
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1 ReactionRenyt, I'm sorry, I had not seen this comment before I responded above. In 2010, I was threatened with enucleation. The discussion was about the types of prostheses used back then, and I didn't like my options. It wasn't a glassy eye, but some other kind of material. I really don't know that procedure. This time, I saw a surgeon first, who sent me to an ocularist. AS soon as the ocularist looked at me, he said, "have you considered an evisceration?" I actually had to do something, and I thought that my best protection and aesthetic was the evisceration with a cosmetic prosthetic after it healed. I let it heal for 4 months. I sometimes wore a patch in public, but as someone with tons of scars and deformities as a result of my Juvenile Arthritis since age 2, I no longer care (that much) about how others perceive me. The prosthesis was for me. But I can't put it in by myself because of the limitations in my hands and elbows. I am legally blind so can't drive, and my cervical spine is fused so putting drops in requires me to lie down. My husband helps me a lot!
So, here's what I think. Learn what you can about the differences between evisceration and enucleation, and maybe Amanda can help with that. I don't know what artificial eyes are like for enucleations, but they could be similar. Mine is a polished polymer kind of thing, custom crafted to match exactly with my other eye. BTW, I hear some folks have fun with theirs and put little images of their pets or sports teams inside the pupil! Weird but fun! Also, you will need help for either surgery with getting there and going back home. So, maybe you can contact someone who would be willing to come help you for a time. Or maybe there are resources in the community or with your insurance to get you through this? You might want to talk to the surgeon about this.
Your eye will look very different after surgery. It will need time to heal. It will be painful like a headache for a couple of days or so. I know you've been through a lot and dread going through anymore. I know this because I've had over 40 surgeries in my 58 years. I don't know how much more I can take either. Be gentle and kind to yourself. Know your options and the consequences. Ask good questions of doctors, the supports you find here, and yourself. Can you keep your current eye? Can you simply wear a patch after the surgery?
Here's the other thing I can tell about you: you are very strong. You have endured much already, and none of it's fair, but you have seen your own resilience through your own experiences and ability to survive. Again, I wish you all the best and I will happily try to answer any other questions. I need to go back and listen to your last comment now and see if I missed anything, so sorry if I did.
Terri
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1 ReactionThank you and I hope you will soon be comfortable. Yes - I am interested in the process you went thru. Who decided that evisceration surgery was the best route to go? I don't know if I have a choice. Anyway - when you feel like replying I would love to know more about what I am facing. Namely - how painful was the recovery? Wishing you the best RENYT
Your article was most helpful. Just knowing what to expect helps. You healed for 4 months before continuing with the replacement prosthetic - was this due to your other health issues or is it best to heal for a long period first? I am concerned about the surgeon doing the surgery. I have read a lot about surgeons who are specialized in Ophthalmology Plastic and Reconstructive surgery. I did not want just "any" eye surgeon doing the surgery - especially if I have to have an enucleation. I searched for surgeons who had a 5 star rating and had acquired a Fellowship medical designation. Since I live near Kansas City, MO I located two within the Fellowship medical doctor's listing. I decided on the one I have an appt with in July, 2022. Probably this is the reason I have to wait 3 months for my appointment. Hopefully, I have chosen well! The physician I am currently with, his specialty is corneal transplants. I was referred to him by another ophthalmologist when my eye condition was deteriorating and I was becoming concerned what the problems were. This doctor immediately found the problem and began treatment. He is trying to prevent any infection from occurring. I have only been under the care of this doctor for 1 1/2 months. I had several questions he said he could not answer regarding evisceration and enucleation and recommended I talk to the surgeon in his medical clinic. I could not find any reports regarding the surgeon therefore I decided to get a reevaluation from the doctor I selected from my research of physicians with a Fellowship designation. Maybe I am being too concerned regarding which surgeon I go to? We lived in Minnesota many years before moving to Missouri. Three of my four eye surgeries were performed at Mayo Clinic as well as my breast cancer and my husbands colon cancer. If it wasn't for the distance where we live now I would return to Mayo for my current eye issues. We could not be more pleased with Mayo! Thank you for your message and will appreciate anything else you have to share with me. Your struggles have been much more than mine and bless you for enduring your health issues. We thank God he gives us the strength to handle the issues we face in our lives. May you have a beautiful day. Sorry for my long post. RENYT
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1 ReactionIn reply to @tlt "Hello all, I'm here today to update you on my artificial eye. I was fitted with..." + (show)
Did you have an evisceration or enucleation? Thank you - RENYT
Evisceration
Hi RENYT, thank you for your kind words and for more information on your situation. Yes, my surgeon wanted me to allow my eye to heal longer (he said 3 months, and I opted for 4) because of my other conditions, another surgery that was happening during that healing time, and the fragility of my skin and tissue. During the post op period, I kept antibiotic ointment and something called a "conformer" in. The conformer helps maintain the shape of the sclera so that it heals well and maintains its shape for the prosthetic. I never had to touch the conformer or take it out, so no worries there.
My surgeon, Dr. Daniel Hwang, a Board Certified Ophthalmologist specializing in ophthalmic plastic, cosmetic, and reconstructive surgery is in Atlanta. I didn't have much time to choose, but felt comfortable with him and with the doctor who recommended him. Both were also concerned about infection, and so I'm glad you are being treated and monitored for that.
If you will feel more comfortable consulting with a similar ophthalmologist as Dr. Hwang, and can find such near KC, I'd say go for it. Let them know what you are dealing with and that the sooner you see someone the better, at least, that's what I think. But if it's not possible, go with your best option and continue to ask such great questions. You deserve the best care you can get!
Terri
Pain was manageable and minimal over the time period of those months. Right after surgery, and for maybe a week, I had enough pain to take tramadol prescribed by my surgeon. The worst pain was on the way home and that first evening after surgery, but by that I mean it was about a 5 on the 0 (no pain) to 10 (take me to the ER) scale. Tylenol was also used for the few mild headaches I had during weeks 2 and 3 post op. But hey, what a good excuse to rest and listen to an audio book? So that's what I did. I hope this is helpful
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1 ReactionYou are so encouraging and the information I am getting from this website really is a benefit to me. I'm beginning to feel like a "wimp". So will start trying to have a more positive outlook. Thank you for the time you have taken to send your messages. RENYT
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