UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT IN A CLINICAL CASE OF EYE GLOBE RUPTURE WITH FORENSIC IMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Eye globe rupture is an ophthalmologic emergency which needs surgery in order to preserve globe integrity and visual acuity. In certain cases of severe physical trauma, partial or total extrusion of the ocular contents leads the surgeon to the decision to eviscerate the eye globe. The aim of this article is to highlight the psychological impact in a clinical case with forensic implications of a 39-year old patient with eye globe rupture. He underwent severe physical aggression, as he was hit with a metallic blunt object in the face, which led to losing one eye and permanent mutilation. In eye globe rupture generating the loss of the eye, as it is in our case, patient undergoes concomitant mental disability, needing after operation psychological counseling in order to accept his present status. It is also essential for the ophthalmologist to make a correct and well-documented assessment of the patient, to complete a full forensic report and to establish accurately under which provisions of the Romanian Criminal Code the offence is falling.

Keywords

• depression
• evisceration
• eye globe rupture
• forensic report
• ocular prosthesis