Impact of A designed Eye Care Protocol on Nurses Knowledge, Practices and on Eye Health Status of Unconscious Mechanically Ventilated Patients at North Palestine Hospitals.\n\n*1 Imad H. Fashafsheh, 2 WardaYousef and 2 Manal Sayed\n\n1 Dean Assistant-Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, AAUJ- Palestine.\n2 Critical Care& Emergency Nursing, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.\[email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] \n\nAbstract: Patients on intensive care units are at high risk of eye problems due to the loss of normal physiologic defense mechanisms of the eye. Mechanical ventilation is one of the therapeutic measurements used for some of such patients which leads to a lot of health problems and eye problems is good example, sedation to facilitate mechanical ventilation also leads to loss of physiologic actions of decrease tear production and increase evaporation due to eye lid opening. Care of the eyes is least to be considered from the nurses because it’s not life threading and infection control measures also regarding eye hygiene is not routine practice. Eye complications prevalence in many studies quantifies more than 40 percent even it is difficult to quantify this problem because there is no documentation in these departments. The aim of the present study research was to examine the impact of utilization of a designed eye care protocol on reducing the incidence of eye complications of ventilated sedated or unconscious patients; to fulfill the aim three research hypothesis were formulated. Quasi experimental design was used. The study sample constitute from 35 nurses working in the ICU departments in three main governmental hospitals in north Palestine and 70 patients whom fulfill the inclusion criteria to be a part of this research sample. Data were obtained through three tools; knowledge assessment questionnaire, an observational check list, and eye health assessment form with grading of the severity. The educational, instructional, and demonstrational programs designed based on nurses assessment needs. Method the educational booklet distributed for all participants nurses that included brief information with images about anatomy and physiology of the eye and complications of mechanical ventilation and at the end assessment and prevention of eye problems, small educational and demonstration sessions with an average of 2 to 3 nurses in the work field done. Results; all research hypothesis were supported, in which nurses knowledge and practices and eye health showed sustainable improvements regarding eye care in the critical care departments. Conclusion; nurses were lacking some knowledge and practices competences regarding eye care in critical care departments, the educational handout , demonstrations and the designed protocol showed a positive impact in improving nurses knowledge, practices and lower the percent of eye health complications. Recommendations; the study recommended establishing a written updated protocol for assessment and implementation the management needed for eye care by continuous education appraisal to ensure enough knowledge, and complete safe practices, which leads for sure in minimizing the incidence of eye complications. \nKey words: Designed Eye Care Protocol, Nurses Knowledge, Nurses Practices, Eye Care.