Reduction in vision is not inevitable but a manageable consequence of getting older. Some physiological and disease processes associated with ageing may reduce vision and, in some cases, this reduction in vision cannot be treated. Much of it can be prevented, however. Prevention of visual loss is one of the keys to the maintenance of independence in older people. This article describes the main visual conditions associated with ageing and considers what can and should be done by the older person and their network of friends, relatives and carers to ensure that vision is maintained by the early detection and treatment of eye problems and that independence is maintained by putting strategies in place to help the person manage any untreatable vision loss.
Eye care is an important aspect of the nursing management of patients who are critically ill. All patients in acute care settings with absent or compromised eye defence mechanisms are at risk of eye complications and ocular surface disease. This article aims to assist nurses to care for the eyes of patients in critical care settings to enable early detection and routine management of ophthalmic issues, thereby avoiding visual compromise on patient discharge from critical care settings.
Corneal exposure is reported to occur in many patients who are critically ill.
Incomplete eyelid closure and lack of lubrication are the main mechanisms that underlie the development of corneal damage in patients who are critically ill.
Unconscious, sedated and/or paralysed patients and those with a reduced Glasgow Coma Scale score depend on healthcare professionals to maintain their ocular surface to prevent complications such as corneal abrasion, infection and ulceration, perforations and blindness.
Meticulous nursing care is required to prevent ophthalmic complications that can result from corneal exposure in this patient group. Regular, evidence-based eye care should be part of routine nursing practice for patients who are critically ill.
‘How to’ articles can help you update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:
How this article might change your practice?
How you could use this resource to educate your colleagues in eye care of the unconscious patient?
An objective assessment of the patient’s vision is important to assess variation from ‘normal’ vision in acute and community settings, to establish a baseline before examination and treatment in the emergency department, and to assess any changes during ophthalmic outpatient appointments.
Vision is one of the essential senses that permits people to make sense of the world.
Visual assessment does not only involve measuring central visual acuity, it also involves assessing the consequences of reduced vision.
Assessment of vision in children is crucial to identify issues that might affect vision and visual development, and to optimise lifelong vision.
Untreatable loss of vision is not an inevitable consequence of ageing.
Timely and repeated assessment of vision over life can reduce the incidence of falls, prevent injury and optimise independence.
‘How to’ articles can help update you practice and ensure it remains evidence based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:
How this article might change your practice when assessing people holistically.
How you could use this article to educate your colleagues in the assessment of vision.
Although eye treatment is an important aspect of patient care, nurses may not always be aware of the implications of inadequate treatment of ophthalmic conditions. Topical eye treatments, including eye drops and ointments, are governed by the same controls as medication administered by other routes. The authors discuss eye treatment, the nurse’s role in safe administration of medication and patient compliance with therapy.