Eye Diseases Flashcards
Glaucoma
A group of diseases that can damage the eye’s optic nerve
Optic Nerve
Connects the retina to the brain
Retina
The light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye
Anterior chamber
A space in the front of the eye where clear fluid flows continuously in and out of the chamber and nourishes nearby tissues. The fluid leaves the chamber at the open angle where the cornea and iris meet. When fluid reaches the angle, it flows through a spongy meshwork, like a drain, and leaves the eye.
What happens when fluid reaches the angle and passes too slowly through the meshwork drain?
Fluid builds up, pressure inside the eye rises to a level that may damage the optic nerve
What happens when the optic nerve is damaged from increased pressure?
open-angle glaucoma and vision loss may result
Three common treatments for glaucoma
- Laser Trabeculoplasty
- Cyclophotocoagulation
- Trabeculectomy
Tonometry
Measurement of the intraocular pressure to detect glaucoma, by determining resistance of the eyeball to an applied force. Eye may be anesthetized and client stares forward. Tell client not to rub eyes after tes if anesthetic was used to avoid possible corneal scratches or injury
Normal intraocular pressure
10-21 mm Hg
Age-related macular degeneration
- A leading cause of vision loss in people over 65
- A breakdown of the macula that causes central vision to be blurry, distorted, or to have dark areas
- Two Forms
- Wet
- Dry
- 90% of the people with AMD have the dry form
What is important in age-related macular degeneration?
early detection can slow visual loss
What are commonly occuring nursing diagnoses for the client with AMD?
- Self-care deficit r/t visual deficit
- Anxiety r/t vision loss
- Knowledge deficit: disease process/treatments r/t lack of exposure
- Risk for injury r/t vision loss
