Dry Eye Syndrome in Intensive Care Units: a concept analysis

To analyse the concept of Dry Eye Syndrome in patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU).

This is a concept analysis, according to Walker's and Avant's method, conducted using an integrative review, through search in the database. Science Direct, Scopus, Cinahl, Pubmed, Lilacs, Cochrane and Web of Science. The following keywords were used: "Keratoconjuntivite Sicca", "Risk Factors", "Dry eye Syndromes" and "Intensive Care Units". After selection, 85 articles have been kept.

Antecedents found: age, lagophthalmos, environmental factors, use of medications, systemic diseases, mechanical ventilation and eye surgeries. Attributes: Tear Break-up Time < 10 s, Schirmer's test I < 10 mm, Schirmer's test II < 5 mm and signs and symptoms. Consequents: eye damage and discomfort; unstable vision. The Model Case and the Contrary Case were used to illustrate it.

The research provided clarification of the concept and consequent understanding of the Dry Eye Syndrome, which is preventable especially in ICU.