Self-inflicted Enucleation of an Eye: Two Case Reports*

Abstract

There are a number of reports of self-inflicted enucleation of the eye which indicate that this act probably protects the patients from guilt. It appears that religious delusions play a dominant role irrespective of primary diagnosis. Hence, enucleation of an eye may occur in various psychotic syndromes with religious delusions. In this report the history of two patients are presented to suggest that self-enucleation of the eye served as a protection from suicide. The management of these patients includes rapid neuroleptization and a close follow-up with both drug and psychological therapies.