A study of incidence of dry eye in critically ill patients in intensive care unit

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the incidence of dry eye in critically ill patients hospitalized in the Intensive care unit.

Materials and methods

A Prospective case control study of 40 patients, aged between 19-55 years who were hospitalized in the Intensive care unit in a tertiary care hospital  for more than 7 days, of which 16 patients were ventilated and  24 patients were not ventilated. All patients were subjected to Tear secretion assessment by Schrimer’s test 1 and Ocular surface damage assessment by  corneal  staining using fluorescein dye .

Conclusion

Prevalence of dry eye was more in the older age and the  Schirmer’s  test value in patients with dry eye among those who were ventilated and not ventilated was 7.2+/-4.7 (p value<0.005) and 8.4+/-7.2(p value<0.005)and they were treated empirically. Conjunctival chemosis, Conjunctival hyperaemia, purulent or mucopurulent secretion, Corneal staining and Keratitis were observed in 20%, 22.5%, 12.5%, 7.5%, 5% of the patients respectively and were treated accordingly. Incidence of dry eye was 10% on 8^th day and 17% on 14^th day. The parameters did not show statistically significant difference according to mechanical ventilation or not. As patients in the Intensive care unit are more susceptible to develop dry eye, keratopathy, and ocular infections, they should be consulted by an ophthalmologist for early diagnosis of ocular surface disorders.