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.
Design: Randomised-controlled trial.
Setting: University affiliated, tertiary referral hospital.
Patients and participants: 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.
Interventions: 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.
Measurements and 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.