What procedure is appropriate for eyes that are blind and painful due to glaucoma?

Enucleation is the appropriate procedure for eyes that are blind and painful due to glaucoma because it involves the surgical removal of the eye. When an eye is afflicted with glaucoma, it can lead to increased intraocular pressure, causing significant pain and optic nerve damage. If the eye has already lost sight and remains painful, enucleation is often the best option to alleviate discomfort and prevent further complications.

This procedure eliminates the source of pain, allowing for improved quality of life for the patient. Other treatments, such as ciliary body ablation or gonioimplants, are generally aimed at preserving vision or reducing intraocular pressure in eyes where there is still potential for sight. IV mannitol administration may provide temporary relief by decreasing intraocular pressure but does not resolve the underlying issues in a blind and painful eye. Therefore, enucleation is the most definitive solution in this scenario.