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Why do surgeons tape eyes shut for, and during operations
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and why do they only do this in only some operations?
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There are a number of reasons involved here.
Firstly, as Clanad said, it serves to prevent accidental mechanical corneal damage with instruments etc during surgery.
Secondly, tear production is reduced or stopped during operations and as its important to maintain a moist cornea, the eyelids are taped shut. Sometimes, a thin layer of an special aqueous ointment is applied to the cornea before taping to aid hydration.
Thirdly, some operations require the use of powerful lasers and lighting equipment. Accidental exposure to such lights or lasers could lead to blindness. Special types of tape are used that are impervious to such lights and lasers.
Fourthly, my medical colleagues at uni tell me that on occasions it would not be not very desirable for a patient undergoing surgery to see exactly what's going on. Patients undergoing elective surgery have been known to panic when they see the vast array of equipment in the operating theatre or the operating theatre team around them. Taped eyes can augment the pre-med no end!
Firstly, as Clanad said, it serves to prevent accidental mechanical corneal damage with instruments etc during surgery.
Secondly, tear production is reduced or stopped during operations and as its important to maintain a moist cornea, the eyelids are taped shut. Sometimes, a thin layer of an special aqueous ointment is applied to the cornea before taping to aid hydration.
Thirdly, some operations require the use of powerful lasers and lighting equipment. Accidental exposure to such lights or lasers could lead to blindness. Special types of tape are used that are impervious to such lights and lasers.
Fourthly, my medical colleagues at uni tell me that on occasions it would not be not very desirable for a patient undergoing surgery to see exactly what's going on. Patients undergoing elective surgery have been known to panic when they see the vast array of equipment in the operating theatre or the operating theatre team around them. Taped eyes can augment the pre-med no end!
Some surgeons would get queasy doing especially gruesome procedures if they should see the gooey guts they're cutting into. Also, with their eyes taped shut they can operate more confidently knowing they wont get blood in their eyes if they should cut a main artery by mistake. Sometimes its just because they miss playing pin the tail on the donkey like they did so often in med school.
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