|
?:abstract
|
-
PURPOSE Ocular complications are common in the critical care setting but are frequently missed due to the focus on life-saving organ support. The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a surge in critical care capacity and prone positioning practices which may increase the risk of ocular complications. This article aims to review all ocular complications associated with prone positioning, with a focus on challenges posed by COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature review using keywords of \'intensive care\', \'critical care\', \'eye care\', \'ocular disorders\', \'ophthalmic complications,\' \'coronavirus\', \'COVID-19,\' \'prone\' and \'proning\' was performed using the electronic databases of PUBMED, EMBASE and CINAHL. RESULTS The effects of prone positioning on improving respiratory outcomes in critically unwell patients are well established; however, there is a lack of literature regarding the effects of prone positioning on ocular complications in the critical care setting. Sight-threatening ophthalmic disorders potentiated by proning include ocular surface disease, acute angle closure, ischemic optic neuropathy, orbital compartment syndrome and vascular occlusions. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 patients may be more susceptible to ocular complications with increased proning practices and increasing demand on critical care staff. This review outlines these ocular complications with a focus on preventative and treatment measures to avoid devastating visual outcomes for the patient.
|
![[This page as RDF]](https://research.tib.eu/covid-19/static/rdf-icon.gif){kind=icon}