Can you pull your eye out?

[anon875]

Hello,

This might sound like a strange question.. and I suppose it is. My friend has developed a habit (mainley from being scared by horror films) whereby she thinks she can "pull" her eye out.

She has developed this habit whereby if she inserts part of her finger (up to the first knuckle crease after your finger nail) into the upper right corner of her eye she can push her finger into her socket and suposidely behind her eye.. this makes her eye bulge out somewhat if she does it to the full extent she can.

We know its not healthy, we know she has to stop.. but she cannot do it.. she's having a few other issues in her life at the moment and this is a coping meathod for her worry more than anything. The trouble is that this meathod of coping then fuels the worry so its almost like a big circle.

She quite often has conversations with me where I need to reassure her that its "ok" and not as bad as she thinks it is. In all honestly.. it looks OK to me.. yeah its a bit strange (pretty much like when people bulge their eyes out?) but obviously if she keeps doing it potentionally she could cause serious damage in the future.

What I am looking for really is a bit of backup informaiton to convince her that "pulling" your eye out.. is virtually impossible which willl then eventually stop her doing it as she'll just give up doing it and hopefully develope another less.. harmful habbit! :) - So i wondered if someone would take the time to answer/clarify a few questions?;

Is it possible to remove your eye with your fingers alone? - (ok thats a bit difficult to answer!) - i've searched high and low on the net.. and as far as I can see it looks like its a myth that people can really "pull" their eyes out without some serious force and you being unconcious at the time.... if you watch Hills have eyes etc.. those sort of films suggest you can.. and it "hangs down your cheek"

How long is your optic nerve and is it longer than the distance between the "back of your head" and your eye socket?

How large is your eye ball and how much bigger is it than your eye socket(i've read quite a few times that your eye is bigger than your socket so it just simply wouldn't fit)

Do eye lashes.. "go round the back" of your eye? ie can you lose them.. i presume the eyes self cleaning meathod would stop this.. but it sort of gives her piece of mind that if an eye lash cant get "round the back" then your finger has no chance.

I'm really looking for as much information as possible to convince her that its impossible to do.. so any suggestions and help to stop and convince her would be appareciated

She has seen a number of doctors, opticians about this but they all pretty much haven't convined her (they dont realise how seriously it affects her life)

I know what you're probably all thinking that why doesn't just she "stop it".. but unfortinately.. its a habit she doesn't seem to be able to kick!

many thanks for your help

Damien

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

=

[Pppppooo]

No it's not I asked the doctor and that's a disease

[Pppppooo]

No it's not I asked the doctor and that's a disease

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Kendra0202]

Check out   www.LostEye.com  Its a great forum, people all around the world who have actually been there done that.....or can at least answer the question for you.

[anon875]

OK.. thats not what I wanted to hear haha! - thanks John.

Does anyone know the answers to my other questions or where I might find them out?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Yes it is possible to pop the eye out of the socket and have it get caught between the lids, it is calle "proproptosis" and can damage or destroy the eye unless it is put back in place. Also there are cases of mentally deranged people that have stuck there fingers through the delicate tissues over the eye, and pulled the eye ball completely out of the socket ("self enucleation"").

Additional problems could include infection, bleeding or scratiching the cornea.


JCH MD

[anon875]

Yes she is seeing a specialist regarding her worrying etc she has been referred and awaiting an appointment. This could take months mind as the NHS is very badly funded in this area (so I’m told) therefore in the mean time she needs to stop doing it etc hence my post.

Any suggestions on how to cope with it is appreciated too although i am mainly bothered about the actual eye poking habit.

many thanks
Damien

[1Butterflywings]

Ive just seen your comment is she seeking help - specialist?

[anon875]

Apologises for the spelling mistakes there I didn't run a spell check before I finished.