General anesthesia reduces basal tear production

ABSTRACT

To measure the effect of general anaesthesia on basal tear production in order to determine the need for the prophylactic use of ophthalmic preparations. Design and Setting: 150 patients [300 eyes] undergoing general anaesthesia for more than 90 minutes for non-ophthalmic surgical procedures were divided randomly into 3 groups [C, T and O]. Eyes in group C were left as such, in group T hypoallergen tape was applied and in group O chloromycetin applicap ointment was used. In all the eyes basal tear production was assessed by Schirmer 1 and 2 tests both pre and postoperatively. All the patients were subjected to conventional general anaesthesia technique. General anaesthesia reduced basal tear production irrespective of the method of eye protection used [P < 0.0001]. It is suggested that prophylactic eye care during general anaesthesia should include both replacement of tears and prevention of mechanical exposure of the cornea