Ophthalmic complications after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

The purpose of this paper is to inform the ophthalmologist about the occurrence of ophthalmological complications after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Due to the close anatomical relationship between the paranasal sinuses and the orbit, involvement and/or injury of the orbit from processes primarily located in the paranasal sinuses, may occur. The orbit, the extra-ocular muscles, the optic nerve and the lacrimal drainage system can be damaged during FESS. The risk of injury is correlated to the anatomical variations, the history of previous surgery, the extent and the gravity of the disease and the skill of the surgeon. We hereby present three cases, each showing a different ophthalmologic complication after FESS.