Care at Home After Eye Removal Surgery

Eye removal surgery (enucleation) can be difficult for children and their families. But with time and support, you and your child will adjust and adapt to the changes.

After eye removal surgery, your child will come home with bandages over their affected eye. The eyelid will likely be sewn shut.

The doctor will place a clear device called a conformer in the socket during surgery. It helps the eye socket keep its normal size and shape after the eye is removed.

After complete healing, your child may be fitted for an ocular prosthesis (artificial eye).

Giving medicines

After your child’s surgery, your care team will prescribe medicines to help with their recovery. Follow your care team’s instructions for how and when to give medicines.

Anti-nausea medicine

Your child may have nausea and vomiting after surgery because of anesthesia or pain medicines.

• Your care team may give you an anti-nausea medicine such as Zofran^®.
• Give your child this medicine on schedule for at least 24 hours after surgery or as instructed by your care team.
• You can give fewer doses after 24 hours if your child is not nauseated.

Antibiotics

Your care team will give you antibiotics to help prevent infections.

• Names for this medicine might be Augmentin^® or Cleocin^®. But it could be called something else.
• You will likely give this to your child 2 times a day for 10 days (about 1 and a half weeks) after surgery. Always follow your care team’s instructions.

Removing bandages at home

Your child will have a pressure bandage on the place where the eye was removed. 

• Keep the bandage on overnight. 
• Follow your care team recommendations for removing the bandage. You may be able to remove it within 24 hours after surgery. 

You might notice: 

• Bruising and swelling, which are normal after surgery. It gets better with time. 
• Some blood and wetness on the bandage. Call your child’s care team if you are worried about the amount of blood. 

Try to keep your child from touching or removing the bandage. If the bandage comes off early, do not put it back on. Call your care team instead.  

Using eye ointment

Your child may be sent home with an eye ointment to apply to the area. This ointment may be called neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethaxone or Maxitrol^®.

• The ointment reduces swelling, redness, and prevents infection.
• Put this on the area where the eye was removed 2 times a day after the bandage comes off (usually 24 hours after the surgery).
• Put the ointment along the eyelashes if the eyelid is sewn shut.
• Your child’s body heat will melt the ointment into the eye.
• Use the ointment until the stitches are out.
• Your child will get the stitches out at their appointment in 6 to 8 weeks (about 2 months).
• Keep applying the ointment into the socket (eye opening) 2 times a day after your child’s eyelid opens.
• Do this until your child is fitted with an ocular prothesis.

Caring for your child’s conformer (eye device)

Do not panic if the conformer comes out of the socket. Follow these steps to put it back.

1. Wash your hands.
2. Clean the conformer with mild soap and water.
3. Put eye ointment on the top part of the conformer.
4. Lift the upper eyelid and put the conformer under it.
5. Pull the lower eyelid out and the conformer will go into place.

Putting the conformer in the socket may seem hard at first. You will get used to it over time.

Do not leave the conformer out for more than 1 day. Call your child’s care team if you cannot get it back in.

Cleaning your child's eye area

It is normal for some liquid to come from your child’s eye socket after surgery. It might include:

• Normal tears
• Thin, watery fluid from surgery
• Slightly bloody fluid

Keep the area around your child’s eyelids clean and dry. Tears can irritate the skin.

• Use a clean, warm washcloth to wipe the area.
• Do not rub or scrub hard.
• Pat the area gently.

When to call your care team

Call your child’s care team right away if you notice signs of infection, which may include:

• A fever higher than 101° F (38.3 °C)
• More redness or swelling in the surgery area
• More pain in the surgery area
• Pus coming from the eye

Wearing glasses for eye protection

Your child will get a prescription for new glasses. These glasses may or may not correct your child’s vision in their remaining eye.

The lenses must be made of a sturdy material called polycarbonate. Your child needs these lenses to protect their remaining eye. 

It is very important that your child wear their glasses all the time when they are awake. There are no exceptions.

The glasses should not break with normal use. They may break with rough play or if your child tries to break them on purpose.

Getting an ocular prosthesis

A prosthetic (human-made) eye will not restore your child’s vision, but it will help give a more natural appearance. Your care team will help you make an appointment to be fitted for the ocular prothesis. This usually happens about 6-8 weeks (about 2 months) after surgery.

Coping with eye removal surgery

Adjusting to living with one eye can be overwhelming, especially at first. How well your child adjusts to having 1 eye may depend on their age. Younger children may adapt more quickly to changes in vision and appearance, while older children and teens may need more time and support.

It is normal for children and families to feel sad, worried, or overwhelmed after eye removal surgery. Talking openly about feelings of loss and changes in the body can help. Your care team can help both you and your child adjust to life after eye removal surgery.

Related Content