Dr. Deepthi U S, Dr. Umadevi R. S.
100 patients admitted for more than 7 days in Medical /Surgical ICU’s of KIMS Bangalore were studied. 70 were in Medical ICU and 30 in Surgical ICU. 60 Males and 40 Females were studied.
Examination consisted of history, evaluation for matting of eyelashes, lid closure, mucopurulent / purulent discharge, Conjunctival congestion and Shirmer test.Corneal staining with flourscein strip viewed under blue light of indirect ophthalmoscope.
37 patients had ocular surface disorders of which 5 (14%) were diagnosed and treated by primary physician rest were seen by ophthalmologists. Matting of eyelashes in 13 (35%),Conjuctival hyperemia in 8 (21%) , Dry eye in 11 (30%) and Exposure Keratitis in 5 (13.5%) patients. Mean Schirmers test results was 22 ± 4 mm on day 1 and 8 ± 5 mm.
Thus the study shows the need of meticulous eye care, prophylactic lubricants and antibiotic use and timely ophthalmological intervention in reducing these complications.