Effect of Risk Reduction Nursing Measures on the Occurrence of Corneal Injury for Patients at Intensive Care Unit

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing- Tanta University, Egypt

2 Clinical instructor at Technical Institute Of Nursing- Tanta University, Egypt.

3 Professor of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine-Tanta university, Egypt.

4 ssist. Prof of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Critical Care and Emergency Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing- Tanta University, Egyp

Abstract

Background: Prevention of corneal complications for Intensive Care Unit patients considered
an effective way to avoid corneal damage. Polyethylene covering is transparent dressing which
creates moist chamber providing a barrier against tear-film evaporation and physical barrier for
micro-organisms Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of risk reduction nursing
measures on the occurrence of corneal injury for patients in Intensive Care Unit. Design: Quasi-
experimental design. Setting: Anesthetic Intensive Care Unit, at Tanta Emergency Hospital and
Anesthetic Intensive Care Unit, at Tanta University Educational Hospital affiliated to Ministry of
Higher Education and Scientific Research. Subjects: A convenience sampling of 60
mechanically ventilated patients divided into study and control groups (30 patients for each).
Tools: Tool I: Critically Ill Patients Assessment Tool. Tool II: Richmond Agitation Sedation
Scale. Tool III: Clinical Indicators of Corneal Injury Assessment Tool. Results: Findings of the
present study revealed that there was statistical significant difference were observed among
study group regarding physical assessment indicator of corneal injury regarding left eyelids,
right and left conjunctiva which (P= 0.001, 0.021, 0.003) respectively. The current results
revealed that more than two- third (73.33%) and the majority (93.33%) of study group patients
have normal cornea in right and left eyes respectively from 1st to 7th days, and there was a
statistical significant difference between control and study groups on the 7th day in relation to
corneal ulcer in right and left eyes (P = 0.001 and 0.00) respectively. Conclusion: Using eye
care protocol reduced the incidence of keratitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and corneal ulcers in
patients admitted to ICU. Recommendations: Eye care should be standardized as a basic part of
nursing care provided to all critically ill patients in ICU. Emphasize the importance of assessing
critically ill patient's eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, and pupil for early detection of any eye
problem. The study should be applied on large probability sample