Clinical Trial: Does the Use of a Moisture Chamber Decrease the Incidence of Corneal Abrasions in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients?

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Does the Use of a Moisture Chamber Decrease the Incidence of Corneal Abrasions in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients?

Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to identify the incidence of scratches on the surface of the eye in children who cannot blink due to medication use and to identify how best to reduce the risk of a scratch on the surface of the eye when patients are using specific medicines.

Detailed Summary: Critically ill children may require neuromuscular blockade as a treatment modality. These children require careful eye care to prevent corneal abrasions. However, current evidence does not exist to guide best practices on eye care. This research study will evaluate 2 types of eye care therapy. The eyes will be randomly assigned to the control or experimental eye care therapy group. The control eye will receive lubricating ointment every 6 hours. The experimental eye will receive lubricating ointment every 6 hours and have a plastic covering to create a moisture chamber. Using daily fluorescein staining to detect corneal abrasions, each child will be studied for up to 9 days. Children who develop corneal abrasions will be discharged from the study and the primary care team will be notified. The two groups will then be compared to determine the therapy associated with the lowest incidence of corneal abrasions.
Sponsor: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Current Primary Outcome: Development of corneal abrasions [ Time Frame: 9 days ]

Original Primary Outcome: Development of corneal abrasions

Current Secondary Outcome: Incidence of corneal abrasions [ Time Frame: 36 hours ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Incidence of corneal abrasions

Information By: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Dates:
Date Received: August 9, 2005
Date Started: March 2004
Date Completion:
Last Updated: July 9, 2007
Last Verified: July 2007