[Efficiency of eye shields during phototherapy]

The penetrance of light through 21 different types of eye shields used in Danish neonatal care units was evaluated. A phototherapy unit (Dräger Phototherapiegerät 800) with a visual illuminance of 8317 Lux was placed in a distance of 39 cm from a photographic lightmeter (Minolta Autometer IIIF). The opening of the meter was covered by the various shields tested. The penetrance varied between 1.0 and 2886 Lux. The most effective shield was made of three layers of green, tightly woven cotton. A commercially made eye shield (Posey Eye Protector 4646) was able to reduce visual illuminance to 118 Lux (ambient light in our nursery was 20-139 Lux). A tubular stockinette covering was found to be ineffective as thicknesses of 1-16 layers was able to reduce penetrance to only 2886-1055 Lux. The use of an eye protector made of three layers of green cotton, sized 140 x 50 mm is recommended.