Enucleation

When is eye removal necessary?

If an eye is blind and is not painful then its removal is not usually necessary. However, if the eye is blind and painful with no hope of vision being restored then it should be removed on welfare grounds. In addition, if there is a suspected tumour of the eye then removal might be advised if there is a concern it could spread to the rest of the body.

It is usually quite obvious if an animal’s eye becomes suddenly painful. They may rub at the eye or face, blink more than normal, be averse to bright light, the eye might have a discharge, or it may appear red and/or swollen. If the eye becomes gradually painful, however, then the signs of discomfort can be difficult to notice. Examination by your vet or an ophthalmologist can provide more clues as to whether the eye is likely to be causing your pet discomfort.

What does the surgery involve?

To perform the operation the animal must have a general anaesthetic. The hair from around the eye is clipped and the whole eye is removed along with the eyelids. Following this the surgical site is closed in several layers, and the skin is stitched together. The animal may be sent home with a short course of antibiotics and/or painkillers but the patient is usually quite comfortable following the procedure. The area is likely to appear bruised and swollen for several days and may have a slight blood-tinged discharge either from the wound or from the nostril – this is completely normal. The operation site is checked approximately 10 days later and if any skin sutures are present, they may be removed at this point. The long-term cosmetic result following an enucleation is usually quite good. There will be a slight depression over the area where the eye was removed, although this may not be noticeable particularly if the pet’s hair is long.

It is usually recommended to send the eye away to a laboratory to be checked for the cause of the disease. This is important as the findings might have implications for the other eye or for the rest of the patient’s health.

Are there likely to be any complications post-surgery?

Potential complications of enucleation are unusual but include infection or cyst formation. If the area appears particularly hot, painful, swollen or has a discharge then you should contact your vet immediately.