December 18, 2025
Knock Knock Eye: What Happens When Your Eyelids Won’t Close?
Knock Knock, Hi! with the GlaucomfleckensAbout this episode
This week, I’m answering your YouTube questions, including why my histology shirt is back, and then diving into a mystery case straight from the ICU. A sedated teenager with a swollen face, red eyes, and a whole lot of chemosis needs help, and I show up with… my ophthalmologist luggage. What I found is something every ICU clinician has seen but doesn’t always recognize: exposure keratopathy , the completely preventable eye emergency that happens when the lids won’t close, the tears disappear, and the cornea gets sacrificed to hospital airflow. Takeaways: How facial edema and chemosis in the ICU create the perfect setup for exposure keratopathy and why it often goes unnoticed. Why artificial tears twice a day are nowhere near enough for a sedated patient who can’t blink. The simple bedside tools ophthalmologists bring to evaluate non-responsive patients (including the portable slit lamp). Why corneal abrasions in hospitalized patients can become dangerous fast and how to stop them before they start. The easiest ICU intervention ever: ointment, moisture chambers, and remembering that eyelids exist for a reason . To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can’t get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! – http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact. For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 -- A friendly reminder from the G’s and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit http://www.EyelidCheck.com for more information. Today’s episode is brought to you by Microsoft Dragon Copilot. Dragon Copilot is an AI clinical assistant that streamlines documentation, surfaces critical information, and automates routine tasks — empowering healthcare teams to focus more on patients and less on administrative work. Learn more at https://glau.cc/Dragon Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices