Eye enucleation is a surgical removal of the entire eyeball, leaving surrounding structures like the eyelids and eye muscles intact. It is typically done in cases of severe trauma, intraocular tumors, infections, or to relieve pain from a blind, diseased eye. In comparison, evisceration removes only the inner contents of the eye, keeping the outer shell (sclera) and surrounding tissues. It is often used for painful or infected eyes that don’t require complete removal. Exenteration is the most extensive, involving the removal of the eye along with nearby tissues, usually for aggressive tumors or severe infections. Each procedure is chosen based on the severity of the condition. Although enucleation is a last resort, modern implants and prosthetic eyes allow for good cosmetic outcomes and improved quality of life.
