THE ETIOLOGY AND PREVENTION OF PERIOPERATIVE CORNEAL ABRASIONS

Corneal abrasion is the most frequent ocular complication to occur dur ing the peri-operative period. This review describes the aetiology of corneal abrasions and evaluates the current methods of prevention. Mos t abrasions are caused by lagophthalmos (failure of the eyelids to clo se fully) during general anaesthesia, resulting in corneal drying. Gen eral anaesthesia reduces both the production and the stability of tear s and therefore increases the incidence of this painful condition. Tap ing the eyelids closed, soft contact lenses, the instillation of aqueo us gels or paraffin-based ointments are all effective in preventing co rneal abrasions, but ointments are associated with significant morbidi ty.