Polyethylene cover versus viscotears gel for the prevention of corneal abrasions in critically Ill patients : a comparative study

Abstract EN

In unconscious ventilated patients, various eye protective measures have been used to prevent corneal abrasions.

This is the first study in Saudi Arabia that compared the effectiveness of polyethylene films and eye instillations to prevent corneal abrasions.

Our study aims to compare the effectiveness of polyethylene covers with Viscotears gel in the prevention of corneal abrasions in critically ill patients.

This randomized controlled study was carried on 40 ventilated patients in intensive care units of King Fahad Hospital of the University.

All participants were randomly assigned to receive polyethylene covers in one eye and viscotears gel in the other eye to prevent corneal abrasions.

A fluorescein stain test was performed by staff ophthalmologist daily to detect any corneal abrasions.

The study found that the use of polyethylene cover and viscotears gel were equally effective in prevention of corneal abrasions in critically ill patients (p = 1.000).