Phantom Eye Syndrome

Phantom eye syndrome (PES) is defined as having pain in your eye, even after this eye is lost for some reason. These are called "phantom pains" because this appendage is not attached anymore, although pain is still felt somehow.

Identification

• PES is basically when a patient feels phantom eye pain and has vivid visual hallucinations in an eye that was never there to begin with or that was removed later in life. Doctors previously believed this was a psychological problem but then found this problem originates in the brain.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of PES include phantom pain, sensations and visual hallucinations. The pain may be described as shooting, squeezing or throbbing. This phantom pain is caused by changes in the nervous system and because of denervation of the eye. In other words, this pain is caused by detaching the nerves in an eye to remove it. Visual hallucinations are caused by enucleation of the eye, or removing the nucleus of the eye. These hallucinations mostly consist of basic colors and shapes. This causes visual excitability and spontaneous activity in the visual cortex. Basically, the body is getting used to not having the eye anymore. Phantom pain in the limbs in known to be more prevalent than in the eye.

Time Frame

• Many times, this pain gets better over time, but for some, it never goes away and only gets better with physical therapy and medication.

Treatment

• Treatment may include physical therapy and emotional support. Distracting yourself with activities and hobbies and staying physically fit can also make the pain better or make it go away.

  Other effective treatments include acupuncture, injections, implanted devices and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS). TENS is a device that sends a small electric current around the area of the eye, which may mask or prevent feelings of phantom pain.

  Some medications used to treat PES include antidepressants, anticonvulsants and narcotics, such as morphine or codeine.

  None of these methods work for everyone but have been proven to work for some. Surgery is seen as the last resort to cure PES.

Considerations

• With these treatments and medications, consult with your doctor to discuss what steps should be taken to find out which treatment option is best for you.