Intrascleral implantation of glass beads during evisceration.

Background and objective: To review the results after small glass bead implantation in the scleral cavity during evisceration.

Materials and methods: In this retrospective study, we retrieved the follow-up data of 17 patients who underwent evisceration with glass bead implantation from 1993 to 1996.

Results: All patients achieved good cosmetic results with good motility of the prosthesis. Complications included transient chemosis at the early postoperative period in 3 patients (17.6%), 1 patient (5.9%) with local dehiscence of the wound, 1 patient developed a cyst in the socket (5.9%), and 1 patient was afflicted with thinning of the conjunctiva over the surgical wound.

Conclusion: The use of glass beads to fill the scleral cavity during evisceration has the advantage of an excellent fit in accordance with the scleral cavity volume, as well as ease of treatment in case of extrusion. The prosthesis movement is good because of its engagement with the scleral bulges caused by the glass beads.