A comparative study of efficacy of prophylactic use of lubricating eye ointment, eye taping and their combination in preventing exposure keratopathy in critically ill patients: A pilot study

The study aims to compare the effectiveness of prophylactic measures, including lubricating eye ointment, eye taping, and their combination, in preventing exposure keratopathy among critically ill patients. With a lack of such studies in the Indian population, this research becomes essential. Existing literature suggests promising results from interventions like passive blinking, carbomer eye drops, and polyethene covers. The study involves a prospective interventional approach over a year, focusing on patients in critical care units. Patients would be allocated into three groups, with ten patients in each group, using simple random sampling by the chit method. Double blinding would be followed as neither the patient nor the investigator giving the treatment is allocating the groups. Group A patients would receive eyelid taping; Group B patients would receive 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose eye ointment; and Group C patients would receive eyelid taping and 2% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose eye ointment. Ocular examination has to be done along with examination with fluorescein dye. Patients would be graded using following grading system to track progression of disease and its response to treatment.