Eye & Ear Disorders Flashcards
Central loss of vision that affects the macula of the eye
Macular degeneration
T or F: macular degeneration has no cure
True
What is the most common cause of vision loss in older adults?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
What are the two types of macular degeneration?
Dry and Wet
Most common type of macular degeneration caused by gradual blockage in retinal capillary arteries, resulting in ischemia and necrosis of the macula
Dry macular degeneration
Type of macular degeneration caused by new growth of blood vessels that have thin walls that leak blood and fluid
Wet macular degeneration
Risk factors for dry macular degeneration
Smoking, HTN, short body stature
Which sex is more at risk for dry macular degeneration?
Females
A diet lacking _____ and _____ may place an individual at higher risk for developing dry macular degeneration
Carotene and vitamin E
What type of macular degeneration can occur at any age?
Wet
Expected findings of macular degeneration
Lack of depth perception, objects appear distorted, blurred vision, loss of central vision, blindness
Dietary education for the client with macular degeneration
Encourage consumption of antioxidants, carotene, and vitamin E and B12
An opacity in the lens of an eye that impairs vision
Cataract
Common causes of cataracts
Age-related, trauma
Medications that can cause cataracts if used long-term
Corticosteroids, pheothiazine derivatives, beta blockers, miotic meds
Associated conditions that can cause cataracts
Diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, Down syndrome, chronic sunlight exposure
Intraocular diseases that can cause cataracts
Glaucoma, retinal detachment
Client education for prevention of cataracts
Sunglasses, protective eyewear (hazardous activities), annual eye exams (40+)
Cataracts expected findings
Decreased visual acuity, blurred vision, diplopia (double vision), visible opacity, absent red reflex
Tool used to measure visual acuity
Snellen chart
Tool used to examine internal and external eye structures
Opthalmoscope
MOA of atropine for cataracts
Prevents pupil constriction for prolonged periods of time (mydriasis) and relaxes muscles in the eye (cycloplegia)
Medication used to dilate the eye preoperatively and for visualization of the eye’s internal structures
Atropine
Client education for atropine
Effects can last 7-12 days; wear sunglasses (photosensitivity)
Client education following surgical removal of lens
Wear sunglasses, report signs of infection (yellow or green drainage), avoid activities that increase IOP
Activities that increase IOP
Bending over at waist, sneezing, blowing nose, coughing, straining, head hyperflexion, restrictive clothing, sexual intercourse
Indications of increased IOP or hemorrhage
Pain with N/V
Best vision is not expected until ___ to ___ weeks following lens surgery
4-6
Expected reference range for IOP
10-21 mmHg
What are the two primary types of glaucoma?
Primary open-angle and Primary angle-closure
Most common type of glaucoma by which aqueous humor outflow is decreased due to blockages in the eye’s drainage system, causing a gradual increase in IOP
Primary open-angle
Type of glaucoma in which the angle between the iris and sclera suddenly closes, causing a SUDDEN increase in IOP
Primary angle-closure
Glaucoma risk factors
Age, HTN, infection, trauma, diabetes, severe myopia, retinal detachment
Expected findings of primary open-angle glaucoma
headache, mild eye pain, loss of peripheral vision, decreased accommodation, halos seen around lights, elevated IOP (>21 mmHg; usually 22-32)
Expected findings of primary angle-closure glaucoma
Rapid onset of elevated IOP (>30 mmHg), decreased/blurred vision, colored halos seen around lights, pupils nonreactive to light, severe pain and nausea, photophobia
Diagnostic procedure that measures IOP
Tonometry
Client education for glaucoma medication administration
Instill one eye drop in each eye twice daily (q12h), wait 5-10 min between eye drops if more than one is prescribed, avoid touching applicator tip to eye, ALWAYS wash hands before and after use, apply pressure to inner corner of eye once eye drop is instilled (punctal occlusion technique)
Examples of miotic cholinergic agents
Carbachol, echothiophate, pilocarpine
MOA of miotic medications
Constrict pupil allowing for improved circulation and outflow of aqueous humor
Side effect of miotics
Blurred vision
Second line drug for POAG
Pilocarpine
Patient education for miotic cholinergic agents
Use good lighting to avoid falls
Examples of adrenergic agonists for glaucoma
Apraclonidine, brimonidine tartrate, dipivefrin hydrochloride
MOA of adrenergic agonists for glaucoma
Reduction of IOP by limiting production of aqueous humor and dilating pupils to improve fluid flow to site of absorption
Client education for adrenergic agonists for glaucoma
Wear sunglasses in bright light because of pupil dilation
First line drug therapy for glaucoma that decreases IOP by reducing aqueous humor production
Beta blockers (timolol)
Nursing considerations for timolol
Can be absorbed systemically causing bronchoconstriction and hypoglycemia — use cautiously in patients with asthma, COPD, and diabetes; can cause bradycardia and hypotension
Examples of carbonic inhibitors for glaucoma
Acetazolamide, dorzolamide, and brinzolamide
MOA of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for glaucoma
Decreases IOP by reducing aqueous humor production
Nursing action for carbonic anhydrase inhibitors for glaucoma
Assess sulfa allergy
Examples of prostaglandin analogs for glaucoma
Bimatoprost and latanoprost
MOA of prostaglandin analogs for glaucoma
Increases outflow by dilating blood vessels draining aqueous humor at a more rapid rate
Client education for prostaglandin analogs for glaucoma
Can darken iris with long-term use
Osmotic diuretic used in the emergency treatment for primary angle-closure glaucoma to quickly decrease IOP
IV mannitol
Potential consequence of untreated glaucoma
Blindness
Regular glaucoma checks for individuals under 40
Every 2-4 years
Regular glaucoma checks for individuals ages 40-54
Every 1-3 years
Regular glaucoma checks for individuals ages 55-64
Every 1-2 years
Regular glaucoma checks for individuals 65+
Every 6-12 months
Function of the ears
Hearing and balance
Middle ear structures
Tympanic membrane (eardrum) and ossicles
Ossicles (smallest bones of body) of the middle ear
Malleus, incus, stapes
Structure that separates the middle ear from the inner ear
Oval window
Inner ear structures
Cochlea (hearing organ) and semicircular canals (balance)
Causes of conductive hearing loss
Otitis media, otosclerosis, foreign body (impacted cerumen)