Dilated pupil during endoscopic sinus surgery: what does it mean?

Abstract

Endoscopic sinus surgery has become the standard of care for the surgical management of chronic sinus disease. Sinus disease and its surgical treatment carry the risk of orbital complications, irrespective of the approach. Orbital complications associated with sinus surgery include nasolacrimal duct damage, extraocular muscle injury, intraorbital hemorrhage/emphysema, and direct optic nerve damage, resulting in blindness. The finding of an unequal pupil at the end of a procedure would be a cause of considerable concern, but it is most likely due to the topical contamination of the eye with a mydriatic pharmacological agent commonly used in endoscopic sinus surgery.