Effectiveness of lubratex and vitamin A on ocular surface disorders in ICU patients: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: High prevalence of ocular surface disorders includes eye dryness and corneal ulcer among intensive care unit patients remains an issue. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Lubratex ointment and vitamin A eye ointment in preventing ocular surface disorders in intensive care unit patients.
METHODS: A single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted in critically ill patients of vitamin A eye ointment and Lubratex ointment in preventing ocular surface disorders. Forty-one eligible patients were randomly assigned to administered vitamin A eye ointment in one eye and Lubratex ointment in the other eye. After five days, using fluorescein and Schirmer's tests, an ophthalmologist examined patients and specified those with ocular surface disorders.
RESULTS: The results showed a significant decrease in the incidence of dry eye (p ≤ 0.001) and corneal ulcer (p = 0.002) with the use of Lubratex ointment.
CONCLUSIONS: Although Lubratex ointment was more effective than vitamin A ointment in preventing ocular surface disorders, further research is needed to confirm the findings of the present study. © The Intensive Care Society 2020.