English

Abstract

BACKGROUND Due to the impaired ocular defence mechanisms, patients in the intensive care unit are more prone for ocular surface disorders. This creates the need for identifying the causal factors and educating the health care staff working in (intensive care unit) ICU, regarding ocular surface disorders. The prevalence of ocular surface disorders in ICU patients is about 60 %.1 We wanted to study the proportion and causative factors of ocular surface disorders in intensive care unit patients. METHODS A cross sectional study was conducted among 100 patients admitted in intensive care unit of S.V.R.R.G.G. Hospital, Tirupathi, for a duration of one year. A detailed history, clinical examination, fluorescein staining, Schirmer’s test and conjunctival cultures was done. RESULTS Out of 100 patients, 50 patients were on ventilator support and 50 patients were without ventilator support in ICU. Overall prevalence of superficial punctate keratitis was 78 %, lagophthalmos 20 %, dry eyes 88 %, microbial keratitis 17 % in patients. The prevalence of ocular surface disorders was more in ventilator supported patients. CONCLUSIONS Ocular examination should be a part of routine examination in an intensive care unit setting, because the risk of microbial keratitis can be reduced by preventing exposure keratopathy with the help of meticulous eye care. KEYWORDS Ocular Surface Disorders, Intensive Care Unit, Ventilator Support, Microbial Keratitis, Eye Care