Perioperative Corneal Abrasion: Updated Guidelines for Prevention and Management

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 May;137(5):790e-798e. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000002108.

Abstract

Corneal abrasion is the most common ocular complication in surgery. Treatment requires pain control, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and close monitoring. Pain improves significantly after 24 hours and should be resolved by 48 hours. Persistent, worsening, or new symptoms warrant immediate specialist consultation. The authors review the pathophysiology of perioperative corneal abrasion, and propose updated evidence-based guidelines for improved patient care.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Anesthesia, General / adverse effects*
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis
  • Corneal Injuries / diagnosis
  • Corneal Injuries / etiology
  • Corneal Injuries / physiopathology
  • Corneal Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Corneal Injuries / therapy*
  • Dry Eye Syndromes / complications
  • Epithelium, Corneal / pathology
  • Head Movements
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Intraoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Intraoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Intraoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Lubricant Eye Drops / therapeutic use
  • Mydriatics / therapeutic use
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures*
  • Patient Positioning
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / physiopathology
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Premedication
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Lubricant Eye Drops
  • Mydriatics