Effect of different eye protection methods in exposure keratitis prevention in cardiac surgeries

Abstract

Objective To explore the effect of different eye protection methods in exposure keratitis prevention in cardiac surgeries. Methods From January to December 2015, 210 patients having undergone cardiac surgeries were divided by random number table into medical hypoallergenic 3M adhesive plaster group, general medical pad pasting group and medical chitosan mask group, each with 70 cases. Within 48h after the surgery, patients in the three groups were compared about whether they had uncomfortable complaint like eye dryness, photophobia, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, localized pain, etc. or clinical symptoms like conjunctival injection, edema, cornea dryness, etc. Results 17 patients got exposure keratitis in the medical hypoallergenic 3M adhesive plaster group, while 6 in the general medical pad pasting group and 3 in the medical chitosan mask group (χ2=14.310, P<0.05). Conclusions General medical pad pasting can effectively prevent exposure keratitis after surgery with general anesthesia. The effectiveness and its reasonable price make it worth applying in clinic. Key words: Cardia surgical procedures; Exposure keratitis; Preventive methods; Medical hypoallergenic 3M adhesive plaster; Pad pasting; Chitosan mask