Sidda Naik Bukke1, Ramachandraiah Gurapa2, Geetha Kumari Kanchi Shanmuga Chari3, Ramya Sree Mandalaneni4
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.
