Eye removal procedures in Nigeria: A review article

Abstract

Procedures for surgical removal of the eye, previously termed destructive eye surgeries, include evisceration, enucleation, and orbital exenteration. The surgical removal of an eye is a difficult but occasionally inevitable decision that ophthalmologists sometimes undertake, as these procedures result in a permanent loss of vision and disfigurement. Eye removal procedures are commonly performed in Nigeria as evidenced by the number of publications from different centers in the country. The aim of this review is to evaluate the indications for these procedures, and identify any variation over time. This is aimed at providing information to the general ophthalmologists when faced with the difficult decision on surgical removal of an eye. A review of all published reports from different parts of the country on the subject was made, and the most common indication for these procedures was retinoblastoma in children, and ocular trauma in adults. Currently, evisceration procedures are more commonly performed when compared with enucleation or exenteration in many centers in Nigeria.