Dr. Suneel Sangaraju

Dr. AMIT KUMAR DEB, Dr. JAYASRI P, DR. MARY STEPHEN A, Dr.malavika mani

Abstract

Patients in intensive care unit (ICU) are at increased risk of developing exposure keratopathy due to poor lid closure. In this retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care center, we had reviewed medical records of patients admitted in the ICUs over 2 years. 144 patients had exposure changes of which 97 patients improved with early recognition, patching, topical lubricants and prophylactic topical antibiotics. 10 patients progressed to corneal ulcer of which 2 patients worsened to perforation while rest responded to topical antibiotics/antifungals and healed with corneal opacity. All patients who progressed to corneal ulcer were under mechanical ventilation, sedation and ICU stay for more than 1 week which could be risk factors for exposure changes. 37 patients had died due to other life threatening complications. Universal eye care for the admitted patients by ICU staff, use of lubricants and early ophthalmic consultation is mandatory to prevent vision threatening complications.