COMPARISON OF THREE METHODS OF WET GAUZE, ADHESIVE TAPE AND EYE OINTMENT TO PREVENT CORNEAL ULCERATION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING GENERAL ANESTHESIA

Abstract

Introduction: The main protective reflexes, including eye blinking and tearing impair in the operating room due to anesthesia and receiving sedation, so the eyes of these patients will get susceptible to damage. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the three eye care methods (blindfolding with adhesive tape, using wet gauze or eye ointment) in preventing dry eye and corneal ulcers in patients under general anesthesia in Jahrom hospitals in 2015. Materials and method: This study is a clinical trial carried out on candidate patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia who were randomly divided into three groups of 29 individuals. A 22-option checklist including demographic information and the results of findings of dry eye and corneal ulcers was completed by trained nurses and the researcher. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 17 and Mc Nemar test, T-test, Chi-Square test. Results: The conducted studies showed that of 87 patients, 29 patients (33.33%) were suffering from dry eyes and in total, 12 (13.79%) patients got corneal ulcers including 6 (50%) patients in the adhesive tape group and 3 (25%) patients in the ointment group and 3 (25%) patients in the wet gauze group. Conclusion: Generally speaking, it was determined that there were no significant differences between the three methods of preventing dry eye and corneal ulcers. However, dry eye and corneal ulcers had happened less in the protective method by ointment. Therefore, the use of ointment as a protective way is recommended to prevent dry eyes and corneal ulcers in patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit.