Abstract
Objective: To determine the reasons for removal of the eye at the Irrua Specialist Teaching hospital, Irrua, Edo State, southern Nigeria. Method: A retrospective study of all cases of enucleation and evisceration carried out over a 10-year period – July 1997 to June 2007 – at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. Data from theatre records and case notes were analysed with respect to age, sex, interval between onset of symptoms and presentation, indications for surgery and type of surgery done. Results: A total of 42 patients had enucleation or evisceration during the period, accounting for 6.96% of all ophthalmic surgeries (603) over the same period. Eight eyes were enucleated (19.05%) and 34 eyes were eviscerated (80.95%). There were 21 males (50%) and 21 females (50%). The most common reason for removal of the eye was a ruptured globe secondary to severe ocular trauma (35.71%). This was followed by panophthalmitis (26.19%) and intraocular tumours (9.52%). Forty patients (95.2%) presented after one week of onset of ocular lesions; 20(47.6%) had used traditional eye medication, and 4 (9.5%) had used eye drops containing corticosteroids. Conclusion: Health education programmes aimed at increasing public awareness on dangers of self medication, the use of native medication and the need to present early to hospital are highly recommended. Also, protective goggles and helmets with plastic facial coverings are recommended for workers who are at risk for eye trauma. Keywords: eye, enucleation, evisceration, NigeriaNigerian Journal of Ophthalmology Vol. 16 (1) 2008: pp. 16-19
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