iPro Elite - A Safe Alternative From Adhesive Tape For Surgical Eye Care
In 2014, over 2.7 million patients in the UK had surgery under general anaesthesia. The common practice is to tape the patient’s eyelids closed using acrylic adhesive tape; however, the removal of this tape is known to cause skin abrasion, which can increase the risk of post-surgery infection.
Benefits of the iPro Elite
Infection Control: Surgical adhesive tapes can be seen to cause bacterial infections and a potential reservoir for fungi. These tapes are generally stored in a common area used by multiple clinicians. A 2012 study found that 11 out of 21 tape batches that were tested for MSRA and VRE were contaminated. The iPro Elite developed by Fannin is packed in a closed box, on convenient single-use sheets which helps lower the risk of contamination in comparison to rolls of tape.
Prevents Skin Abrasion: Medical adhesive skin injury is a post-surgery complication that affects around 1.5 million patients per annum. Common injuries include dermal bruising, skin tears, irritation of the skin and the possible removal of eyelashes. The iPro Elite helps avoid these injuries as it is the only eye protector that uses a gentle silicone adhesive, allowing for easy application and removal for clinicians.
Reduces The Risk of Corneal Abrasion: Around 60% of patients do not close their eyes completely during surgery. This results in the cornea being exposed to air which can become dry. When the cornea is dry, it can stick to the inside of the eyelid, possibly leading to abrasion of the eye. An abrasion of the eye can also occur if something rubs against the eye during the procedure. The iPro Elite can avoid corneal abrasions as the mild silicone adhesive allows the clinician to easily apply and alter the positioning of the protector, which helps to keep the eyes closed throughout the surgery.
As the number of HAI’S increase, an alternative and safer method to surgical taping are the iPro Elite eye protectors which provide a superior method of surgical eye care.