Intensive Care Nursing/Nursing Cares of the ICU patient/Eye Care

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Eye Care

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The potential for damage to the eyes is a recognised risk for the ICU patient due to sedation and paralysing agents, reduced or absent blinking, infection and the environment.

To start, take a look at this resourceː


Eye Assessment

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Part of routine practice as part of initial thorough assessment at the start of each shift. Assess forː

  • Risk factors for Occular Surface Disorder (OSD)
  • Patient ability to close own eyelids
  • Eye & eyelid cleanliness
  • Corneal dryness or discolouration
  • Signs of infection or red eyes
  • Eye care interventions


Potential Issues

  • Lagopthalmus (incomplete eye closure)
  • Occular surface disorder
  • Conjunctival Oedema (Chemosis)



Resources

Johnson,K. & Rolls, K. (2013) Eye Care for Critically Ill Adults. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Intensive Care Coordination and Monitoring Unit (Poster)

Johnson,K. & Rolls, K. (2013) Eye Care for Critically Ill Adults. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Intensive Care Coordination and Monitoring Unit (Guideline)

Kam et al (2013) Eye Care in the Critically Ill: A National Survey and Protocol

Rosenberg, J. B., & Eisen, L. A. (2008). Eye care in the intensive care unit: narrative review and meta-analysis. Critical care medicine, 36(12), 3151-3155.