Start Date
5-3-2024 9:10 AM
End Date
5-3-2024 11:00 AM
Description
Background
- Exposure keratopathy (EK) refers to corneal damage and ocular epithelial breakdown.
- It can result from prolonged exposure of the eye to the outside environment, often from incomplete eyelid closure or tear film defect.
- Increasingly common in critical care settings, up to 60%
- Mechanical ventilation, sedation, paralysis
- Medications (neuromuscular blockade)
- Impaired blink reflex, reduced tear production
- Fluid imbalance, increased vascular permeability
- Complications include corneal scarring, perforation, and blindness.
- Current recommendations: scheduled artificial tears with nightly lubricating ointment, tarsorrhaphy to close lids
Keywords
exposure keratopathy, tarsorrhaphy
Included in
Identification and Management of Exposure Keratopathy in the Critical Care Setting
Background
- Exposure keratopathy (EK) refers to corneal damage and ocular epithelial breakdown.
- It can result from prolonged exposure of the eye to the outside environment, often from incomplete eyelid closure or tear film defect.
- Increasingly common in critical care settings, up to 60%
- Mechanical ventilation, sedation, paralysis
- Medications (neuromuscular blockade)
- Impaired blink reflex, reduced tear production
- Fluid imbalance, increased vascular permeability
- Complications include corneal scarring, perforation, and blindness.
- Current recommendations: scheduled artificial tears with nightly lubricating ointment, tarsorrhaphy to close lids
Comments
Patient Safety Honorable Mention Award
Presented at the 2024 Jefferson Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit.