Attempted auto-enucleation in two incarcerated young men with psychosis

Abstract

Auto-enucleation is a sign of untreated psychosis. We describe two patients who presented with attempted auto-enucleation while being incarcerated. This is an observation two-case series of two young men who suffered untreated psychosis while being incarcerated. These young men showed severe self-inflicted ocular trauma during episodes of untreated psychosis. Injuries included orbital bone fracture and dehiscence of the lateral rectus in one patient and severe retinal hemorrhage and partial optic nerve avulsion in the second patient. Auto-enucleation is a severe symptom of untreated psychosis. This urgent finding can occur in a jail setting in which psychiatric care may be minimal.

Complications and outcomes after autoenucleation

“…In addition to these cases of successful autoenucleation, there are also many reports of attempted (and ultimately unsuccessful) autoenucleation. These patients were also under the influence of drugs or had underlying mental illness [49][50][51].…”

A Case of Self‐Enucleation in an Incarcerated Patient: Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Literature depicting self‐enucleation within the forensic setting is sparse. The two cases identified depicted patients with untreated psychosis . During their incarcerations, about 30% of prisoners engage in self‐harm behaviors ranging from superficial cutting to potentially lethal acts .…”

Ocular mutilation: A case of bilateral self-evisceration in a patient with acute psychosis

“…[1] (2) Globe perforation with various sharp instruments during hallucinations. [2] (3) Globe rupture with the removal of intraocular contents (selfevisceration).…”

“…Today with the growing literature on many aspects of human psychology, one of the major psychiatric illness such as schizophrenia, depression, obsessivecompulsive disorder or drug abuse is the predisposing factor but among this schizophrenia is the major illness in signifi cant number of cases. [1][2][3][4][5][6] …”