Intensive Care Nursing/Nursing Cares of the ICU patient/Eye Care

Eye Care
The potential for damage to the eyes is a recognised risk for the ICU patient due to sedation and paralysing agents, reduced or absent blinking, infection and the environment.

To start, take a look at this resourceː


 * | How The Eye Works

Eye Assessment
Part of routine practice as part of initial thorough assessment at the start of each shift. Assess forː
 * Risk factors for Occular Surface Disorder (OSD)
 * Patient ability to close own eyelids
 * Eye & eyelid cleanliness
 * Corneal dryness or discolouration
 * Signs of infection or red eyes
 * Eye care interventions

Potential Issues
 * Lagopthalmus (incomplete eye closure)
 * Occular surface disorder
 * Conjunctival Oedema (Chemosis)

Resources

[http://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/239733/eyecare_11112013.pdf Johnson,K. & Rolls, K. (2013) Eye Care for Critically Ill Adults. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Intensive Care Coordination and Monitoring Unit] (Poster)

[http://www.aci.health.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/239731/ACI14_Man_EYE_care_2-3.pdf Johnson,K. & Rolls, K. (2013) Eye Care for Critically Ill Adults. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Intensive Care Coordination and Monitoring Unit] (Guideline)

Kam et al (2013) Eye Care in the Critically Ill: A National Survey and Protocol

[http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/17437113/480756053/name/eye%20care%20-%20rosemberg%20-%20ccm%20-12-08.pdf Rosenberg, J. B., & Eisen, L. A. (2008). Eye care in the intensive care unit: narrative review and meta-analysis. Critical care medicine, 36(12), 3151-3155.]