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.