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

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 7 th 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.