Ideas That Work: Tape the Eyes Before You Secure the Airway

TAPE JOB Patients are more likely to suffer a corneal abrasion if you tape their eyes after you've secured the airway.

Tape the Eyes Before You Secure the Airway

To protect against corneal abrasions and dry eyes during general anesthesia cases, most anesthesia providers tape their patients' eyes closed. However, the timing of the taping often varies from provider to provider. When possible, you should tape the eyes prior to direct laryngoscopy or LMA insertion. This way, when anesthesia providers lean over patients to secure the airway, a pen, dangling ID badge or wandering finger won't cause an inadvertent abrasion.

Jeffrey Cazier, MD
The Surgery Center of Huntsville (Ala.)