Lens on eye care in intensive care units: deficiencies, training, and improvement recommendations - a descriptive observational study.

backgroundEye care in intensive care unit is often neglected in environments where attention is primarily directed toward life-threatening conditions. Such neglect can result in ophthalmological complications, vision loss, and reduced patient comfort. Although several evidence-based protocols exist, their implementation in daily nursing practice remains unclear in many settings.

objectiveThis observational study aimed to assess the eye care practices of intensive care unit nurses and examine the demographic and professional factors influencing these practices. The study further sought to generate data-driven improvement recommendations for clinical practice.

methodsA descriptive observational study was conducted between December 2024 and April 2025 in the adult internal medicine ICU of a tertiary hospital in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. All nurses in the ICU, except those on leave or sick leave, were included, resulting in a sample of 32 participants. Data were collected using two instruments: a structured Demographic Information Form and a 16-item Eye Care Observational Form developed based on evidence-based guidelines. Each nurse was observed in real time during three separate care sessions, with patients selected consecutively during assigned shifts, and the average number of patients observed per shift was 2–3. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests (χ²), and multiple regression analysis to identify significant predictors of correct eye care practices.

resultsIt was determined that 68.7% of nurses adhered to hand hygiene in eye care. Nonsterile materials (e.g., wet wipes) were frequently used for eye cleaning, with only 31.2% using sterile gauze and 0.9% using isotonic sodium chloride solution. Furthermore, none of the nurses reported any eye complications in their patients. Level of education in eye care was found to be a statistically significant factor (p < 0.05); nurses with a bachelor’s degree demonstrated better adherence to evidence-based practices.

conclusionThis study revealed critical deficiencies in eye care practices among intensive care unit nurses and emphasized the role of formal education in improving care quality. These findings support the urgent need to implement standardized eye care protocols and enhance nursing training, particularly in intensive care unit settings. From a health policy perspective, incorporating structured in-service training and protocol-based practices into national intensive care unit nursing standards may help prevent avoidable vision-related complications and align care delivery with international patient safety benchmarks. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.