title: Ocular surface disorders in intensive care unit patients.
abstract: Patients in intensive care units (ICU) are at increased risk of corneal abrasions and infectious keratitis due to poor eyelid closure, decreased blink reflex, and increased exposure to pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the ocular surface problems in patients who stayed in ICU more than 7 days and were consulted by an ophthalmologist. There were 26 men and 14 women with a mean age of 40.1 ± 18.15 years (range 17-74 years). Conjunctiva hyperemia, mucopurulent or purulent secretion, corneal staining, and corneal filaments were observed in 56.25%, 36.25%, 15%, and 5% of the eyes, respectively. Keratitis was observed in 4 patients (10%) who were treated successfully with topical antibiotics. Mean Schirmers test results were 7.6 ± 5.7 mm/5 min (median 6.5 mm/5 min) in the right, and 7.9 ± 6.3 mm/5 min (median 7 mm/5 min) in the left eyes. Schirmers test results were <5 mm/5 min in 40% of the subjects. The parameters did not show statistically significant difference according to mechanical ventilation, sedation, and use of inotropes. As ICU patients 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.
authors.affiliation: Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, Meram Medical Faculty, Necmettin Erbakan University, 42080 Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tuba Berra
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Saritas
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.forename: Zeynep
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cakmak
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozdemir
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yosunkaya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D015817:Eye Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006940:Hyperemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult