Online Questionnaire-Based Study on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Non-Ophthalmic Physicians-in-Training Regarding Exposure Keratopathy Among Patients Admitted in a Tertiary Referral Hospital

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and practices of non-ophthalmic physicians-in-training regarding recognition and prevention of exposure keratopathy among patients admitted in a tertiary referral hospital.

Methods

This study was a single-center cross-sectional study. An anonymous self-administered online questionnaire was distributed among non-ophthalmic physicians-in-training at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) using convenience and snowball sampling.

Results

A total of 77 responses were recorded with a response rate of 37%. The majority of the respondents uniformly reported the absence of an established eye care protocol or policy being implemented for different subsets of patients at risk for developing exposure keratopathy. Ninety-six percent (96%) was aware of exposure keratopathy. The most urgent reason for referral to the ophthalmology service was the presence of whitish of opacity at 46.8%, while the least urgent reason was the presence of eye redness at 36.4%. Only 43% of the patients with incomplete eyelid closure was referred to the ophthalmology service. The most frequently used modality of prophylactic eye protection treatment was eyelid taping (84.4%) followed by lubricants (drops and gels, 79.1%). The most common reason for not referring was the absence of an established protocol on the appropriate indication for referral to the ophthalmology service.

Conclusion

This study showed that the majority of non-ophthalmic physicians-in-training had adequate knowledge and favorable attitude regarding recognition and prevention of exposure keratopathy among patient admitted at the PGH; however, the absence or the unavailability of an eye care protocol among patients with inadequate eyelid closure in our institution on the prevention of exposure keratopathy and its early treatment and appropriate indications for ophthalmology referral resulted in non-uniformity and varied practice patterns on its management.

Keywords:

• exposure keratopathy
• practice pattern
• tertiary referral hospital
• online questionnaire

Abbreviations

EK, exposure keratopathy; ICU, intensive care unit; PGH, Philippine General Hospital.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and analyzed in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

The study adhered to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study was approved by the University of the Philippines Manila Research Ethics Board (UPMREB 2022-0176-01). The study commenced only upon approval of the study protocol. Informed consent given electronically was required prior to inclusion to the study. Utmost care was dedicated into ensuring the confidentiality of the online questionnaire’s responses. The respondents were advised that they may refuse to participate anytime in the course of the study.

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr Josept Mari Poblete, Dr Anna Victoria San Pedro, Dr Ivo John Dualan, Ms Janice Mabanglo and the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the University of the Philippines Manila – Philippine General Hospital for the support in making and completing this paper.

Disclosure

Dr Ruben Lim Bon Siong reports personal fees from Santen and Allergan, outside the submitted work. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The primary investigator was the primary financier of the study. There were no additional budget concerns for both the respondents and the institution because of the online nature of the questionnaire.