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.Keywords Clinical nursing research - Critical care - Eye - Epithelium - Corneal