title: A randomised controlled study of the efficacy of hypromellose and Lacri-Lube combination versus polyethylene/Cling wrap to prevent corneal epithelial breakdown in the semiconscious intensive care patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of two forms of eye care (hypromellose and Lacri-Lube combination vs polyethylene/Cling wrap covers) for intensive care patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised-controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  University affiliated, tertiary referral hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred ten patients with a reduced or absent blink reflex were followed through until they regained consciousness, were discharged from the facility during study enrolment, died or developed a positive corneal ulcer or eye infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients received standard eye cleansing every 2 h. In addition to this, group one ( n=60) received a treatment combining hypromellose drops and Lacri-Lube (HL) to each eye every 2 h. Group two ( n=50) had polyethylene covers only placed over the eye to create a moisture chamber.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corneal ulceration was determined using corneal fluorescein stains and mobile slit lamp evaluation, performed daily. No patients had corneal ulceration in the polyethylene cover group, but 4 patients had corneal ulceration in the HL group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polyethylene covers are as effective as HL in reducing the incidence of corneal damage in intensive care patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Level 3 Ned Hanlon Building, 4029 Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koroloff
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boots
authors.forename: Jeff
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lipman
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rickard
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coyer
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001458:Bandages; D002724:Chlorobutanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007809:Lanolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008747:Methylcellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020959:Polyethylene; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D065347:Hypromellose Derivatives; C014633:lacri-lube; D007809:Lanolin; D010577:Petrolatum; D008899:Mineral Oil; D020959:Polyethylene; D008747:Methylcellulose; D002724:Chlorobutanol