Risk factors for injury in the cornea in critical patients in intensive care: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: summarizing the scientific content produced about the risk factors for corneal injury in critically ill patients in intensive care. Method: this is an integrative review of the literature conducted by question: “Which risk factors are involved in the development of corneal injury in critically ill patients in intensive care?” We searched the banks of BDENF, LILACS, SciELO and MEDLINE. The collection was performed according to the research protocol from January to April 2014. Results: the risk factors found are related to impairment of defense mechanisms, ventilation, and level of consciousness, severity and hemodynamic instability and use of specific medications. Conclusion: there was noted the scarcity of scientific papers about the subject in our country, which makes it imperative to urgent investigation into our reality, in order to demonstrate the problems of this disease.