swelling

My dad contracted the MRSA virus in his lungs he has been on a ventilator for a week now. Yesturday they told us his eyes were open so they taped gauze over his eyes so they wouldnt dry out.......what causes your eyes to swell open? I thought swelling would cause them to close?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

The Ventelator increase the pressure in the veins that drain the eye and socket causing they to swell outward this makes it difficult for the eyelids to come down over them. Also if the lids don't touch or blink normally the air drys out the eye.

He may need an Eye MD to go by and look at them. Ask the MDs caring for your father about an Ophthalmology conlsult.

JCH IIIMD