Incidence of corneal injury in intensive care: a cohort study

Objective: To identify the incidence of corneal injury in patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit and associate the main risk factors with the occurrence of corneal injury in patients hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study, in which 40 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit were included, from December 2019 to February 2020. Data analysis was descriptive and inferential, using statistical tests and effect measures. Results: The sample consisted of 40 patients. Corneal injury developed in 20% (n=8) of participants and is significantly associated with the following factors: length of stay from two to seven days (70%; n=28), Glasgow < 13 (50%; n= 7), use of sedatives (33.3%; n=8), use of bronchodilators (36.8%; n=7), use of tracheostomy (TCT) (50%; n=6) and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) (58.3%; n=7), blinking less than five times (61.5%; n=8), partial eyelid closure (38.9%; n=7), hyperemia (34.8%; n=8), eyelid edema (41.2%; n=7), conjunctival edema (50%; n=7) and dryness (50%; n=5). Conclusion: Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit are exposed to several risk factors for developing corneal injury, with emphasis on mechanical ventilation and Glasgow less than 13, requiring the implementation of prophylactic measures for corneal injury, through the control and mitigation of risk factors and patient exposure.