PURPOSE: Determining the efficacy of vitrectomy in explosive injuries of eye globes and assessing the curcept concept of enucleation for severe traumatized eyes. METIIODS: Clinical records were reviewed on 36 consecutive patients(44 eyes)with severe explosive eyeball injuries. RESULTS:The injuries were caused by explosion of detonator (10 eases), fire-crackers(7 cases) ,explosive and guns(19 cases). Ten eyes(22.7%)were ruptured. Fourty eyes(90. 9%)underwent vitrectomy for posterior segment injuries including vitreous hemorrhage,intraocular foreign bodies, endophthalmitis, and retinal detachment more than 2 weeks after trauma and primary wound repair. Postoperative visual acuity improved in 25 eye(62.5%) ,was stable in 11 eyes(27.5%) ,and decreased in 4 eyes(10%). Final vision was 0. 02 or better (up to 0.7)in 20 eyes(47.6%). No more enucleation was performed except two ruptured eyes (4.5% ) removed in primary clinical units. CONCLUSION :The results suggest that primary wound repair with microsurgery and secondary vitrectomy may reconstruct the eyeball and restore visual functions.at least partially.in the majority of eyes,even though the explosive ocular injuries often induce severe damages and eyeball rupture. It is.thus,recommended that primary enueleation of traumatized eyes should not be performed with an occasional exception. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 169-171)