Left Eye Enucleation: Definition and Clinical Context
Left eye enucleation is the complete surgical removal of the left eyeball while preserving the surrounding orbital structures, eyelids, and extraocular muscles. 1
Surgical Definition
Enucleation specifically refers to the removal of the entire globe (eyeball) from the orbit, which distinguishes it from other eye removal procedures 1:
- Enucleation: Complete removal of the eye itself, leaving orbital contents intact 1
- Evisceration: Removal of intraocular contents only, leaving the scleral shell in place 2, 3
- Exenteration: Removal of the eye AND all orbital contents, sometimes including eyelids (more extensive) 1
Common Indications
The three most common reasons for enucleation are 4:
- Intraocular malignancy (such as uveal melanoma or retinoblastoma) 1, 4
- Severe ocular trauma with no potential for vision recovery 3, 4
- Blind, painful eye that cannot be managed medically 3, 4
Surgical Procedure Components
When enucleation is performed, the procedure involves 1:
- Removal of the entire globe with a portion of the optic nerve attached 1
- Placement of an orbital implant (most commonly hydroxyapatite) to maintain orbital volume 5
- Preservation of extraocular muscles for implant motility 5
- Wrapping of the implant (typically with donor sclera in 59% of cases) 5
Critical Pathology Considerations
Laterality documentation is essential - pathology reports must specify whether the right or left eye was removed, as this is required for proper staging and medical records 1. The specimen should be labeled with patient name, medical record number, and surgeon's name 1.