RN eye protection for phototherapy

[Mobe123]

Hi,

I was wondering if any hospitals provide PPE specifically for nurses caring for babies under photo therapy?  I know that “prolonged exposure” can be harmful for retinas, but Is that is in one setting or cumulative. I find the light really bothersome when I am in a room for more than a few minutes, and feel like everything I look at once I step out has an orange hue. Just wondering if anyone has fancy glasses for nursing that help, if your hospital provides them, if you bought them etc...

[NICU Guy, BSN, RN]

You turn off the light whenever you are doing anything with the baby and turn it back on when you are done. The short term exposure when you are walking towards the patient to turn off the light is minimal.

[Mobe123]

Turning the light off to do an assessment or cares is my usual tactic for less critical babes.  Recently though, we have had a few babes that needed to be under the lights at all times including feeds.  I had to hold with the bili blanket for a full hour with each feed; even though most of it was covered with a swaddle light still seeped out.  I’ve also been in rooms 1:1 with babes needing phototherapy.  In those situations I can’t leave the room or turn off the phototherapy lights.  I turn the overhead lights on to lessen the contrast, but I still find the light very bothersome.  These are the types of situations where I wonder if tinted glasses or something would make a difference.

[adventure_rn, MSN, NP]

They do sell glasses, but I don't know who the manufacturer is. One of my units kept a stash for everybody to wipe down and use, and people with chronic migraines could request personal ones.

I don't know if your unit is requiring face shields, but you might not be able to wear both.

I can try to reach out to my old unit and see if anybody knows the brand. Even if your unit won't purchase them for you, I'd hope they'd let you wear them.