A case of autoenucleation associated with a contralateral field defect

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Autoenucleation, the self-inflicted removal of an eye, is a rare and severe form of self-harm.
• It is often associated with psychiatric conditions and substance abuse.

Observation:

• A 36-year-old male presented with autoenucleation of the right eye, which was impaled on a fork.
• The patient had a history of drug abuse, specifically ecstasy.
• Ophthalmic examination revealed a left temporal hemianopia.

Findings:

• The visual field defect in the left eye persisted despite intravenous steroid treatment.
• This suggests a potential neurological or vascular etiology secondary to the trauma or underlying condition.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potential association between autoenucleation and contralateral visual field defects.
• Routine visual field testing is crucial in managing patients with traumatic enucleation to detect associated neurological deficits.
• Further research is needed to understand the pathophysiology and management of these associated visual field defects.