Polyethylene eye-cover versus artificial teardrops in the prevention of ocular surface diseases in comatose patients: A prospective multicenter randomized triple-blinded three-arm clinical trial

The effect of polyethylene cover intervention on ocular surface disorder of intensive care unit patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Polyethylene covers have been proven to be effective in protecting the eyes in patients with decreased or disappeared blink reflexes, but their advantages compared to other conventional methods are still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to elucidate the impact of polyethylene covers in the prevention of ocular surface disease (OSD) in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

METHODS

We searched the Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases to identify randomized controlled trial studies. This study followed the PRISMA guidelines and used the Cochrane Collaboration tool to assess the risk of bias.

RESULTS

The findings were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals. The incidence of OSD in the polyethylene cover group was lower than that in the eye drops group (RR = 0.27; 95% CI (0.07, 1.09), P = 0.07) and adhesive tape group (RR = 0.11, 95%CI (0.04, 0.31), P < 0:0001) but the polyethylene cover group showed no significant difference compared to the eye gel group (RR = 0.79, 95%CI (0.18, 3.51), P = 0.76) and the eye ointment group (RR = 0.85; 95% CI (0.36, 1.99), P = 0.71).

CONCLUSION

This study showed that polyethylene covers, eye gels, and eye ointments had an equal effect on preventing OSD in ICU patients, and eye drops and adhesive tapes were relatively less effective. However, other intervention methods had not been compared due to the small number of articles. Hence, further studies should assess the available methods to choose the best practical method.

Ocular dryness in intensive care: proposal for a new nursing diagnosis

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the concept associated with diagnostic proposition Ocular dryness in adult patients hospitalized in an Intensive Care Unit, identifying its attributes, antecedents and consequences.

METHODS

a methodological study carried out through concept analysis, operationalized by scoping review.

RESULTS

the analysis of 180 studies allowed the identification of two attributes, 32 antecedents and 12 consequences. The attributes were tear film deficiency and ocular signs and/or symptoms. The prevalent antecedents were incomplete eyelid closure (lagophthalmos) and blinking mechanism decrease. Major consequences included conjunctival hyperemia and decreased tear volume.

CONCLUSIONS

this study allowed constructing nursing diagnosis Ocular dryness, part of domain 11, class 2, with 12 defining characteristics, 12 related factors, seven populations at risk and 13 associated conditions. This problem-focused proposal may provide targeted care by promoting early detection and implementing interventions that reduce the risk of ocular damage.

Mechanical ventilation in snake envenomation of dogs and cats

Envenomation by snakes in Elapidae and Viperidae families have been associated with respiratory failure in dogs and cats. Mechanical ventilation may be required for hypoventilation due to neuromuscular paralysis or hypoxemia due to pulmonary hemorrhage or aspiration pneumonia. Median incidence of dogs and cats with snake envenomation that require mechanical ventilation is 13% (0.06-40%). Standard treatment of snake envenomation in dogs and cats includes prompt administration of appropriate antivenom and management of envenomation complications such as coagulopathy, rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. When mechanical ventilation is required, overall prognosis is good with appropriate treatment. Standard anesthetic protocols and mechanical ventilator settings are generally appropriate, with lung protective ventilation strategies typically reserved for patients with pulmonary disease. Median survival to discharge for cats and dogs with elapid envenomation is 72% (76-84%) with 33 h (19.5-58 h) median duration of mechanical ventilation and 140 h (84-196 h) median hospitalization. This article reviews indications for mechanical ventilation in cats and dogs with snake envenomation, and discusses ventilator settings, anesthetic and nursing considerations, complications and outcomes specific to this disease.

The Effects of Passive Blinking on Exposure Keratopathy among Patients in Intensive Care Units

Background

Patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) are at risk of eye disorders such as Exposure keratopathy (EK) due to impaired blinking and incomplete eye closure. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of passive blinking exercise (PBE) on EK among patients in ICUs.

Materials and Methods

This single-blind, randomized, clinical trial was conducted in 2017. The study participants included 51 patients purposively recruited from the three ICUs of Valiasr Teaching Hospital, Arak, Iran. Through coin tossing, one eye of each participant was randomly allocated to the intervention group and the other to the control group. The eye in the control group received routine eye care, whereas the eye in the intervention group received routine eye care and PBE for a week. EK prevalence and severity were assessed daily for 7 consecutive days using fluorescein eye staining papers and an ophthalmoscope with a cobalt blue filter.

Results

The study groups did not significantly differ from each other in terms of the baseline prevalence and severity of EK. After the intervention, the prevalence of EK (χ ² = 13.44, df = 1, p < 0.001) and the prevalence of grade II EK (χ ² = 8.33, df = 1, p = 0.003) in the intervention group were significantly lower than the control group.

Conclusions

PBE is effective in significantly reducing EK prevalence and severity among patients in ICUs. Therefore, critical care nurses are recommended to use PBE for EK prevention and management.

Effect of Polyethylene Cover for Preventing Corneal Injury in Critically Ill Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Objective

Polyethylene cover has been proved to be an effective method in protecting corneal, but its advantage compared to other conventional methods is still unclear. Our study is aimed at assessing clinical effects of polyethylene cover versus other methods in the prevention of corneal injury for critically ill patients.

Methods

We searched randomized controlled trials comparing polyethylene cover versus other methods for critically ill patients through the databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge database. Forest plots and funnel plots were also performed on the included articles. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Eight studies were eventually identified. The incidence of corneal injury in the polyethylene cover group was lower than that in the eye drops group (RR = 0.24, 95% CI (0.12, 0.45), P < 0.0001) but had no significant difference when compared to the eye gel group (RR = 0.42, 95% CI (0.13, 1.34), P = 0.14) and the eye ointment group (RR = −0.61, 95% CI (0.23, 1.59), P = 0.31).

Conclusion

This study showed that polyethylene cover, eye gel, and eye ointment had an equal effect for preventing corneal injury in critically ill patients, and the effect of eye drops was relatively low. However, there were other intervention methods that had not been compared due to the small number of articles; further studies should be performed to assess which method was the best practice method.

Risk Factors of Eye Complications in Patients Treated in the Intensive Care Unit

In critically ill patients, normal eye protection mechanisms, such as tear production, blinking, and keeping the eye closed, are impaired. In addition, many other factors related to patients' severe condition and treatment contribute to ocular surface disease. Reducing risk factors and proper eye care can have a significant impact on incidences of eye complications and patient quality of life after discharge from the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of the study was to determine risk factors for ocular complication, especially those related to nursing care. The study was conducted in the ICU of a university hospital. Methods for estimating and analyzing medical records were used. The patient's evaluation sheet covering 12 categories of risk factors for eye complications was worked out. The study group included 76 patients (34 patients with injuries and 42 without injuries). The Shapiro-Wilk test, the Spearman's rank correlation test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Friedman's ANOVA test were used. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05. The most important risk factors for eye complications in the study group were: lagophthalmos (p < 0.001), sedation (p < 0.01), use of some cardiological drugs and antibiotics (p < 0.01), mechanical ventilation (p < 0.05), use of an open suctioning system (p < 0.01), presence of injuries (p < 0.01) including craniofacial trauma (p < 0.001), high level of care intensity (p < 0.01), failure to follow eye care protocol (p < 0.001), length of hospitalization at the ICU (p < 0.001), and the frequency of ophthalmological consultations (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the incidence of these complications and the age and gender of the patients. The exposure of critically ill patients to eye complications was high. It is necessary to disseminate protocols and guidelines for eye care in ICU patients to reduce the risk factors.