Pattern And Factors Associated With Ocular Surface Disorders Among Critically Ill Patients At KCMC Referral Hospital.

  Purpose: Ocular surface disorders in critically ill patients pose a significant health challenge among critically ill patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, patterns, clinical presentation, and risk factors for OSDs among critically ill patients at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, addressing local dynamics and informing interventions to improve ocular health outcomes in Tanzania and similar settings. Method: Analytical cross-sectional study of 271 critically ill patients aged 18 years and above admitted to Medical HDU/ICU and Surgical ICU at KCMC Referral Hospital was conducted. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected using the standard data collection tool. Results: Prevalence of ocular surface disorders was 49.4%. Conjunctival hyperemia was present in 11.4% of right eyes and 13.3% of left eyes, and abnormal tear film quality in 11.1% and 12.9% of right and left eyes, respectively. Dry eye syndrome was the most common ocular surface disorder among critically ill patients, affecting 43.9% of cases, followed by Conjunctivitis at 14.0%. Neurological conditions, the use of beta-blockers, mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, and low environmental temperature or humidity were independently linked to a higher risk of developing OSD (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ocular surface disorders are highly prevalent among critically ill patients at KCMC, with nearly half of them affected most commonly by dry eye syndrome. Neurological diseases, beta-blocker use, oxygen mask, low GCS, and lower temperature or humidity were significantly associated with ocular surface disorders.   Key words: Ocular Surface Disorders, Critically Ill Patient, High Dependency Unit, Intensive Care Unit.