Abstract | AIM: BACKGROUND: DESIGN: A prospective, randomised and contralateral eye study was conducted. METHODS: The study took place in an intensive care unit in 2007. Thirty-six eyes of 18 patients, who were under mechanical ventilation or unconscious for more than 24 hours in the intensive care unit, were studied. After examining the eyes of the patients with the Schirmer 1 test and fluorescein dye test, suitable patients were included in the study. One eye of the patient was randomly covered with a polyethylene cover every 12 hours, and carbomer drops were instilled on the other eye every six hours. All eyes were checked for an ocular surface abnormality by the same ophthalmologist everyday. The study interventions were continued until a defect was detected or for five days. Patients with a defect detected completed the study and were recorded as positive for the primary endpoint. Results. Carbomer drop was effective in prophylaxis of dry eye syndrome in only three of 18 patients, whereas polyethylene cover showed greater effect in 18 of 18 eyes at the end of the study (SD 0·3835, Z = -3·873, p < 0·001). A negative effect of greater rima palpebra in the resting position was observed in the efficacy of carbomer drop (r = -0·476, p < 0·05). CONCLUSION: RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study, which is an initial step in preventing dry eye syndrome in critically ill patients, also offers a new and effective eye care method in these patients.
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Authors | Elem Kocaçal Güler, Ismet Eşer, Sait Eğrilmez |
Journal | Journal of clinical nursing
(J Clin Nurs)
Vol. 20
Issue 13-14
Pg. 1916-22
(Jul 2011)
ISSN: 1365-2702 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21414053
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. |
Chemical References |
- Acrylic Resins
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- carbomer
- Polyethylene
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Topics |
- Acrylic Resins
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Child
- Critical Illness
- Dry Eye Syndromes
(therapy)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Ophthalmic Solutions
- Polyethylene
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