Revised guidelines for the ocular care of unconscious patients
| Eye care recommendations | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Unconscious patients with no ocular infection should have eye care 2 hourly |
| 2 | The eyes should be regularly inspected for lid swelling, conjunctival hyperaemia, corneal clouding, or epithelial loss |
| 3 | If there is corneal exposure lubricating ointment should be applied to the eyes 2 hourly |
| 4 | Patients at risk of corneal exposure should have their lids mechanically apposed with adhesive tape |
| 5 | Tracheal suctioning should take place from the side of the bed with the eyes covered |
| 6 | Daily conjunctival swabs should be taken if there is a positive respiratory isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. An urgent conjunctival Gram stain should be performed if there is a clinical suspicion of ocular infection |
| 7 | Topical gentamicin should be started if pseudomonas is isolated from the conjunctiva and an ophthalmic opinion sought |