Eye pain in the PACU can feel like an automatic page to ophthalmology, but it doesn’t have to be. We break down postoperative corneal abrasions on the show today. 

We share practical, clinician-ready guidance drawn from a multidisciplinary PACU corneal abrasion protocol developed with anesthesiology and ophthalmology expertise. You’ll hear exactly what to ask and look for when a patient reports blurry vision or a gritty sensation, the red flag that changes everything (vision loss), and how fluorescein stain plus a cobalt blue light exam can quickly sort a true corneal defect from keratoconjunctivitis or dry eyes. We also cover straightforward treatment for an uncomplicated corneal abrasion, including erythromycin ointment every four hours until symptoms resolve, along with clear follow-up rules when symptoms persist beyond 24 hours.

Then, we dig into the quality improvement and operations side: how tracking cases in the electronic medical record supports reliable follow-up, how the protocol reduces unnecessary ophthalmology consults, and why this approach can improve patient satisfaction while protecting safety. You’ll also hear the real-world impact, including complete symptom resolution in tracked patients and substantial patient cost savings tied to avoided consult charges.

Subscribe for more anesthesia patient safety insights, share this episode with a colleague who staffs PACU, and leave a review to help more clinicians find the show.

For show notes & transcript, visit our episode page at apsf.org: https://www.apsf.org/podcast/314-pacu-corneal-abrasion-protocol/

© 2026, The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation