[Use of contact lenses during general anesthesia]

In 1987-8 the authors investigated changes of the cornea in patients during prolonged operations under general anaesthesia in IMV Brno. They analyzed the causes of corneal damage during prolonged unconsciousness and assessed the relationship of cornea changes on the decrease of lacrimation, change of BUT and period of unconsciousness during general anaesthesia. For the protection of the cornea of anaesthetized patients soft contact lenses were used and the sequelae of their application were compared with the application of other hitherto used protective devices (covering the cornea by an occlusion bandage, viscous drops eye jelly or eye ointment). Hydrophil contact lenses proved useful as a satisfactory protective device to cover the cornea during long-term anaesthesia.