Does the Use of a Moisture Chamber Decrease the Incidence of Corneal Abrasions in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients?

Critically Ill, Eye Injuries

Pediatric critical care, neuromuscular blocking agents, corneal abrasions

The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of scratches on the surface of the eye in children who cannot blink due to medication use and to identify how best to reduce the risk of a scratch on the surface of the eye when patients are using specific medicines.

Critically ill children may require neuromuscular blockade as a treatment modality. These children require careful eye care to prevent corneal abrasions. However, current evidence does not exist to guide best practices on eye care. This research study will evaluate 2 types of eye care therapy. The eyes will be randomly assigned to the control or experimental eye care therapy group. The control eye will receive lubricating ointment every 6 hours. The experimental eye will receive lubricating ointment every 6 hours and have a plastic covering to create a moisture chamber. Using daily fluorescein staining to detect corneal abrasions, each child will be studied for up to 9 days. Children who develop corneal abrasions will be discharged from the study and the primary care team will be notified. The two groups will then be compared to determine the therapy associated with the lowest incidence of corneal abrasions.

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United States