Visual (Cataracts, Retinopathy & Detached Retina) Flashcards

1
Q

This type of patient usually suffers from retinopathy:

A

Diabetic patient (due to micro-vascular changes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Cataract surgery is not the most common surgery for Americans that are 65 years+

True or False

A

False- Cataracts surgery is the most common surgery for Americans, 65 and older

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Describe how a patient with cataracts might visualize something compared to someone with normal vision:

A

Consistently fuzzy, cloudy- like there is vasoline on the eye

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The issue with the cataracts is related to:

a. the pupil
b. the retina
c. the lens
d. the sclera

A

c. the lens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

T/F
Facts about the lens include:
1. it sits in front of the pupil
2. it changes shape as needed to help focus an image
3. Along with the ________, the lens helps the eye accommodate
4. Due to the Len’s __________, it can focus on something far away and then shift to something closer

A

F 1. it sits behind the pupil
2. it changes shape as needed to help focus an image
3. Along with the cornea, the lens helps the eye accommodate
4. Due to the Len’s pliability, it can focus on something far away and then shift to something closer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

As someone ages, what occurs with the lens that leads to cataracts?

  1. the lens becomes _____ and _______
  2. decreased visual ______
  3. decreased a__________
A
  1. the lens becomes cloudy and stiff
  2. decreased visual acuity
  3. decreased accommodation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Glare that is due to light scatter caused by the opacities is called ____ ____.

A

Flood Glare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Nonsurgical care to help with cataracts include:

A

Palliative measures:

  1. adjust glasses prescription
  2. increase lighting for reading and close-up work/activity
  3. day driving (to reduce the chance of evening glares)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Reasons why surgery may become an option for a cataracts patient include:

A
  1. When decreased vision acuity/accommodation impede safety
  2. When palliative measures are no longer satisfactory
  3. If the lens is causing an increased IOP
  4. If the lens opacity prevents monitoring of the retina in high-risk patients (ex: the diabetic patient)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In the diabetic patient, due to micro-vascular changes, it is difficult to view the retina because of cataracts:

True or False

A

True. Cataracts makes it difficult to see the retina.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Cataract Surgery

Name 5 pre-op medications the RN may administer:

A
  1. Mydriatic drops
  2. Cycloplegic drops
  3. NSAID drops
  4. Anxiety Meds
  5. Topical antibiotic - may be ordered prophylactically
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Myotic drops ____ pupils.

A

constrict

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Mydriatic drops ____ pupils.

A

dilates

*remember the “d” in Mydriatic and in dilates can help you remember these go together.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

When do you give the mydriatic drops?

A

prior to the surgery so the doctor can see

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why is it helpful to decrease room lights when given mydriatic drops?

A

Because photophobia is common

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is important to remember with mydriatic drops?

A
  • To avoid systemic effects

- It can produce significant cardiovascular effects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What do cycloplegic drops cause?

A

Paralysis of accommodation (it paralyzes the eyeball)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is an important medical history consideration before Cataract surgery?

A

If the patient has closed (narrow) angle glaucoma, you can not give dilating eye drops. Closing the angle can increase IOP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What medication will you not give to someone with Closed (narrow) angle glaucoma who is about to undergo cataract surgery?

a. cycloplegic drops
b. mydriatic drops
c. myotic drops
d. NSAID drops

A

b. mydriatic drops (it can further increase the IOP)

20
Q

Does a cataract patient need to be NPO prior to cataract surgery?

A

Yes. 6-8 hours.

21
Q

Please recall Cataract surgery POST-op facts:

A
  • Topical antibiotics and steroids may be given before the patient goes home
  • An eye patch or shield will be used to cover the eye
  • At home eye drops given (antibiotic/corticosteroid)
  • Minor activity restrictions (so the IOP does not increase)
  • Night time patch may be worn
22
Q

What should be avoided so the IOP does not increase?

A

bending, stooping, lifting, coughing, bearing down

these movements should be avoided post cataract surgery

23
Q

The initial post-op visit following cataract surgery is usually __ day(s) after the procedure

A

1 day (24 hours). The patch may be removed at this point.

24
Q

Directly following cataract surgery, the patient may experience…

A
  • Improved or decreased visual acuity (which is normal, initially)
  • the eye drops will also slowly decrease and then stopped once the eye is healed
25
Q

When the patient has their post Cataract surgery follow-up visits with the ophthalmologist, they will be monitored for:

(name 4)

A
  1. IOP
  2. Visual acuity
  3. Anterior Chamber Depth
  4. Corneal clarity
26
Q

Cataract Surgery considerations for Patient/family teaching are:

A
  1. Use of proper hygiene/eye care techniques
  2. S/S of infection
  3. Importance of complying with post-op restrictions
  4. Correct use and instillation of eye medications
  5. Importance of attending follow-up visits
27
Q

Retinopathy is typically caused by:
(SATA)

a. DM
b. Steroids
c. decreased IOP
d. HTN
e. Hyperlipidemia
f. Hypotension
g. Staring at a computer all day when studying for nursing school

A

a. DM

d. HTN

28
Q

What are they key factors in controlling Retinopathy?

A

Prevention and treatment of both blood sugar and blood pressure

Also be sure to monitor for progression and take measures to prevent progression

29
Q

What does the vision of someone with retinopathy look like compared to normal vision?

A

splotchy haze

30
Q

Retinal detachment is not an urgent situation:

True or False

A

False. It is an urgent situation.

31
Q

What is occurring while the retina is detaching?

A

a sudden onset of multiple small floaters and/or light flashes begin to occur

32
Q

What happens once the retina detaches?

A

It is painless and the vision becomes shielded as if it were a curtain coming across the field of vision

33
Q

Name 2 major methods used to repair/seal retinal detachment:

A
  1. Laser photocoagulation

2. Cryopexy

34
Q

How do Laser photocoagulation and Cryopexy repair the detached retina?

A

They seal retinal breaks by creating an inflammatory reaction that causes adhesion/scar and reattaches it to the back of the eye

35
Q

An extraocular procedure that repairs a retinal detachment and involves a silicone patch wrapped around the eye is called:

A

Sclera Buckle Procedure

36
Q

A sclera buckle procedure involves a patient under _______ anesthesia and is an inpatient/outpatient procedure. (choose 1)

A

Local; outpatient

37
Q

What are some important considerations when it comes to positioning after a Scleral buckling procedure?

A
  • may be on bedrest
  • keep HOB elevated at all times
  • may need to lean forward
38
Q

Why is it important to keep the HOB elevated post procedure (Scleral buckling)?

A

To keep the IOP low.

39
Q

Scleral Buckling Post-procedure medications may include:

A

Topical eye ointments:

  1. antibiotics
  2. anti-inflammatories
  3. dilating agents
40
Q

Post-procedure care for a Scleral Buckling should include:

A
  1. Activity restrictions
    a. do not bend over or strain with lifting/bowel movements
    b. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for 3-4 weeks
  2. Teach prescribed activity restrictions
41
Q

Scleral Buckling discharge teachings should include:

A
  1. Proper hygiene and eye care techniques
  2. S/S of infection
  3. Importance of complying with activity restrictions
  4. Proper instillation of topical meds
  5. Pain control
  6. Importance of post-surgery follow-up
42
Q

An intraocular procedure/surgery for a detached retina is called:

A

Pneumatic Retinopexy

43
Q

What is injected into the vitreous cavity during a Pneumatic Retinopexy?

A

a gas bubble

44
Q

What is the ideal position following the injection of the gas bubble in a pneumatic retinopexy? Why?

A

Head down and to one side
(however, position depends on where the bubble is)

Why?
This position allows the bubble to apply maximal pressure on the retina by the force of gravity

45
Q

The visual prognosis following a detached retina surgery depends on: (3 things)

A

extent, length, and area of detachments

46
Q

Detached Retina reattachment is ___% successful

A

90%