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

AyeIeye

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

Johnson,K. & Rolls, K. (2013) Eye Care for Critically Ill Adults. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation Intensive Care Coordination and Monitoring Unit (Poster)

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

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.