Pathological findings in eyes enucleated because of perforating injury

Forty-eight eyes enucleated after a perforating eye injury (PEI) in 1980–86 (15% of all PEIs) were examined. The time between injury and enucleation varied from 0 to 1145 days. The lens had been damaged or lost in all eyes and 94% had an uveal tract injury. In 83% the retina was detached, in 15% it was totally prolapsed in injury. The inflammatory signs were most marked in eyes with a corneoscleral or double perforation. Proliferation of the retinal pigment epithelial cells or fibrous proliferation from the wound or ciliary body was found 9–10 days after trauma and epiretinal membranes from the optic nerve head or from the surface of the retina after 1 month. Massive fibrous proliferation was seen in 94% of eyes enucleated 1 month or later after injury. One case of post-traumatic purulent endophthalmitis was detected, but signs of sympathetic ophthalmia were not observed.