Eye observation and corneal protection during endonasal surgery.

Traumatic orbital complications of endonasal surgery, although rare, are a cause of significant morbidity. Although a variety of methods of monitoring eye function during surgery have been described, the best method remains direct perioperative observation of the eye. However, the eye must also be protected during surgery otherwise corneal drying will occur and corneal abrasion may result. This article describes and illustrates the use of Geliperm, a sterile, transparent, pliant hydrogel dressing, as a corneal protector allowing continuous observation of the eye during endonasal surgery.