Effectiveness Of Polyethylene Cover Versus Polyethylene Cover With Artificial Tear Drop To Prevent Dry Eye In Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Figures & data

Figure 1 CONSORT diagram of study process.

Table 1 Demographic Characteristics Of Participants In Each Of The Study Groups

Variables	Polyethylene Cover (n= 52)	Polyethylene Cover And Artificial Tear Drop (n= 52)	p-value
Age (mean ±SD)	53.01 ± 20	51 ± 19	NS*
Sex (male: female)	38:14	37:15	NS
Marital status (single: married)	39:13	34:18	NS
ICU length of stay (mean ±SD)	10 ± 3	9 ± 2	NS
Glasgow Coma Scale (mean ± SD)	5.2 ± 1	6 ± 1	NS
Days of sedation (mean ± SD)	0 ± 1	1 ± 1	NS
Use of sedation (% of subjects)	42	57	NS
PIP^† (mean ± SD)	21.2 ± 4.82	22 ± 5.42	NS
PEEP^‡ (mean ± D)	5±1	5.4±0.81	NS

Notes: ^*Non-significant. ^†Peak inspiratory pressure. ^‡Positive end expiratory pressure.

Table 2 Comparison Of The Level Of Eye Dryness In The Intervention And Control Eyes In Each Group From The First To Fifth Day Of The Study

Study Days	Schirmer Score	Polyethylene Cover		p-value	Polyethylene Cover And Artificial Tear Drop		p-value
		Control n (%)	Intervention n (%)		Control n (%)	Intervention n (%)
First	< 5 mm^a	0 (0)	0 (0)	N/A^c	0 (0)	0 (0)	N/A
	5 mm^b	52 (100)	52 (100)		52 (100)	52 (100)
Second	< 5 mm	4 (7)	0 (0)	N/A	3 (5.8)	0 (0)	N/A
	5 mm	48 (92)	52 (100)		49 (94.2)	52 (100)
Third	< 5 mm	22 (47)	0 (0)	N/A	17 (32.7)	0 (0)	N/A
	5 mm	30 (57)	52 (100)		35 (67.3)	52 (100)
Fourth	< 5 mm	35 (67)	5 (10)	<0.001	29 (55)	2 (4)	<0.001
	5 mm	17 (32)	47 (90)		23 (44)	50 (96)
Fifth	< 5 mm	46 (88)	16 (30)	NS^d	46 (88)	16 (30)	<0.001
	5 mm	6 (12)	36 (70)		6 (12)	36 (70)

Notes: ^aA value of less than 5 mm indicates eye dryness. ^bA value of equal or more than 5 mm indicates absence of eye dryness. ^cN/A: Not applicable. ^dNS: Non-significant.

Table 3 Comparison Of Eye Dryness Between The Two Groups From The First To Fifth Day Of The Study

Study Days	Polyethylene Cover (Mean Rank)	Polyethylene Cover And Artificial Tear Drop (Mean Rank)	p-value
First	52	52	NS*
Second	52	52	NS
Third	52	52	NS
Fourth	54	51	<0.001
Fifth	56	48	NS

Note: *Non-significant.