PURPOSE: To report a case and review both the ophthalmic and psychiatric literature to document the pattern of this self-mutilation and review prevention techniques. DESIGN: Case report and retrospective review. INTERVENTIONS: Surgical repair of the orbits in a patient who autoenucleated both eyes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine methods to prevent self-destructive behavior. RESULTS: Up to 75% of these acts are performed by psychiatric inpatients as a form of focal suicide. Methods to prevent self-inflicting behavior include differential reinforcement, boxing gloves, soft cotton gloves, a bubble helmet, facial screening, electrical stimulation, and tarsorraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of autoenucleation requires early identification of susceptible subjects and timely initiation of preventive measures.
PURPOSE: To report a case and review both the ophthalmic and psychiatric literature to document the pattern of this self-mutilation and review prevention techniques. DESIGN: Case report and retrospective review. INTERVENTIONS: Surgical repair of the orbits in a patient who autoenucleated both eyes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine methods to prevent self-destructive behavior. RESULTS: Up to 75% of these acts are performed by psychiatric inpatients as a form of focal suicide. Methods to prevent self-inflicting behavior include differential reinforcement, boxing gloves, soft cotton gloves, a bubble helmet, facial screening, electrical stimulation, and tarsorraphy. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of autoenucleation requires early identification of susceptible subjects and timely initiation of preventive measures.