Changing trend in the causes of destructive eye surgery at Guinness Ophthalmic Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria

Background : With improvement in preventive medicine and advancement in the management of otherwise morbid eye conditions, the reasons for destructive eye surgeries have changed overtime. Objectives : This study aims at determining the current indications for destructive eye surgeries and compares these to the findings of a similar study done in the same unit two decades earlier. Materials and Methods : It is a retrospective study of 278 cases of destructive eye operations performed at the Guinness Ophthalmic Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Kaduna from January 1991 to December 2000. Results : They were 152 eviscerations, 67 enucleations, and 59 exenterations. Tumors were responsible for the majority of destructive eye operations in the unit (31%). This was followed closely by endophthalmitis/panophthalmitis (30%). Others were trauma (23%), corneal disease (8%) and painful blind eyes (7%). Conclusion : They were noticeable changes in the indications for destructive eye operations especially for some infective and nutritional causes which are largely preventable.