Chandana Chakraborti 1 , Sumiko K.V.2 , Somika Singh3 , Swati Majumdar4 , Asim Kumar Ghosh5
BACKGROUND Destructive Eye Surgeries (DES) are performed for some ocular conditions where there is no hope for vision and the diseased eye is a threat for the healthy eye or various systemic complications. This terminal mode of treatment has a huge impact on psychological aspect and cosmetic concerns for the patients and their relatives. This retrospective study was done to determine various indications for performing DES and their rate as well as pattern of distribution among patients attending Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (RIO) in West Bengal (WB). METHODS This retrospective study included 286 cases of destructive eye surgery performed at RIO, Kolkata for a period of 2 years (1st April 2017- 31st March 2019). Data collection was done by review of operation theatre register and indoor records of patients having panophthalmitis, endophthalmitis, staphylomas, traumatic eye injury, and painful blind eyes. Information collected included age, sex, indication for surgery with the side of the eye involved, visual status of the affected eye at presentation and radiology report. RESULTS Two hundred and eighty-six (286) patients had undergone destructive eye surgery during the study period. The commonest age group was above 60 yrs. (29.37%). The least common age group was 15-40 yrs., about 21.68% of the total. Evisceration was the most commonly performed DES (74.83%) followed by enucleation (24.48%). Orbital exenteration was noted in only 2 cases. Most common causes of DES were infective or inflammatory conditions. Others included ocular trauma, painful blind eye, staphyloma, and neoplasms like retinoblastoma, orbital metastasis etc. CONCLUSIONS Most of the ocular conditions leading to destructive surgery were preventable. Hence proper care, public awareness, and protective measures for maintaining ocular health can reduce the burden of such destructive surgeries.
