key: cord-1052683-kfb6r8wn
authors: Soare, C.; Nowak, V. A.; Osborne, S.
title: Eye care in the intensive care unit during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond
date: 2020-06-10
journal: Anaesthesia
DOI: 10.1111/anae.15154
sha: 0356013f9d3b3cc0c48101446f79248bf6805a4e
doc_id: 1052683
cord_uid: kfb6r8wn

nan

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, although less than 15% of affected patients will require hospital admission [3] , a significant number of these will require ventilatory support. As part of the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome, patients whose lungs are mechanically ventilated receive neuromuscular blocking drugs and the resultant reduction in orbicularis muscle tone, combined with patients being nursed in a prone position, will increase patients' risk of exposure keratopathy.

Training ICU staff in recognising risk factors and applying preventative measures, particularly during these challenging conditions, is paramount in order to reduce the risk of long-term sequelae from exposure keratopathy. We have designed a training tool and a simple protocol (online Appendix S1) for eye care in sedated or mechanically ventilated patients, based on the RCOphth guideline [2] . 

Exposure keratopathy: Incidence, risk factors and impact of protocolised care on exposure keratopathy in critically ill adults

Eye care in the intensive care unit

Epidemiological and clinical aspects of COVID-19; a narrative review