Ophthalmic Nursing Procedures



DESCRIPTION

This is the process of building a therapeutic relationship and environment with the patient/client and family who visits the hospital. It makes the patient/client and family feel at ease to discuss his/her needs with the nurse. This action is performed by the nurse immediately he/she comes into contact with a patient/client and family.

AIMS

  1. Develop mutual trust between patient/client and the nurse
  2. Reduce anxiety
  3. Maintain the dignity of patient/client
  4. Promote effective communication

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is the act of describing a procedure, an action or task that will be carried out for a patient/client and or the family during the delivery of care.

AIMS

  1. Seek patient/client and family’s co-operation and consent
  2. Provide clear understanding of the action or task
  3. Allay fear and anxiety
  4. Indicate the purpose of the procedure
  5. Aid in patient/client and family’s compliance to treatment

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The act of removing eye lashes by the use of epilation forceps.

AIMS

  1. Relieve pain and discomfort
  2. Prevent corneal abrasions
  3. Drain pus on the lid margin (stye)

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The act of trimming of the eye lashes by the use of cilia scissors.

AIMS

  1. To remove sticky substances e.g. glue
  2. Part of pre-operative physical preparation

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The removal of foreign body in the inner lid surface or fornices of the eye.

AIMS

  1. To prevent corneal abrasions
  2. To relieve pain and discomfort

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is a minor surgical procedure for the drainage of Meibomian cyst in the eye lid.

AIMS

  1. To prevent mechanical ptosis
  2. For cosmetic purposes
  3. To prevent astigmatism

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The application of bandage on an eye dressing after surgery or as a first aid management in case of globe rupture.

AIMS

  1. To apply a gentle pressure over an eye pad to arrest haemorrhage
  2. To reduce swelling after eyelid surgery

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This the act of probing and irrigating the naso-lacrimal duct due to blockage.

AIMS

  1. To dislodge debris from the naso-lacrimal duct
  2. To evaluate the patency of the lacrimal drainage system

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the breaking down of adhesions between the bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva of the eye. This procedure is also done when there are potential adhesions of bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva in certain conditions of the eye; such as burns and Steven Johnsons Syndrome whereby the conjunctiva surfaces become ulcerated and stick together.

AIMS

  1. 1. Enhance smooth ocular movement
  2. 2. To prevent the formation of symblepharon

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

A procedure which involves instillation of fluorescein dye or application of fluorescein strip in the eye for diagnostic purposes.

AIMS

  1. Detect corneal epithelial damage
  2. For accessing tear break-up time

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

A procedure to remove foreign material that has become superficially adherent or embedded on the cornea of the eye.

AIMS

  1. To relieve discomfort/pain
  2. To prevent corneal ulceration
  3. To prevent infection

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The act of examining the posterior segment of the eye using a direct ophthalmoscope.

AIMS

  1. To detect any disease affecting the posterior segment of the eye
  2. For diagnostic purposes of other systemic diseases

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

A periocular route of injection for ocular drug administration by injecting a medication either under the bulbar conjunctiva or underneath the conjunctiva lining of the eyelid.

AIMS

  1. To treat lesions in the cornea
  2. To anaesthetise the conjunctival for surgery
  3. To treat intra ocular infections such as uveitis
  4. Intra-operative medication to reduce post-operative infection and inflammation

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The process of using a sterile solution to flush the eyes of any foreign bodies or noxious substances.

AIMS

  1. Flush out injurious chemicals from the conjunctiva and cornea e.g. acid
  2. To dislodge particles and other solid materials in the conjunctiva or cornea. e.g. dust particles
  3. To remove copious discharges from the eye

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is done on the first day post-operative. It involves the use of sterile cotton swabs and normal saline to clean the operated eye in readiness for examination.

AIMS

  1. Clean discharges and prevent infection
  2. Control any postoperative bleeding
  3. Promote tissue formation and aid in healing
  4. Reduce pain and promote comfort

TYPES

N/A

DESCRIPTION

The process of obtaining sample of secretions from the conjunctiva for laboratory investigations.

AIMS

  1. For culture and sensitivity test to isolate specific organism.

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

The is an eye examination that checks how well the eye sees the details of a letter or symbol from a standard distance of 3m or 6m depending on the type of chart being used.

AIMS

  1. To determine the clarity and sharpness of vision of a patient/client
  2. To aid in examination and diagnosis of eye diseases
  3. To provide baseline record for interventions

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is a procedure done to remove crust and debris from eyelid margin.

AIMS

  1. Maintain lid hygiene
  2. Promotes Meibomian glands health
  3. Ease itching and inflammation

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of measuring intraocular pressure or pressure inside the eye with the use of a tonometer.

AIMS

  1. Screen for glaucoma
  2. Measure the pressure in the eye
  3. Assess progress of ocular treatment

TYPES

  1. Digital
  2. Schiotz
  3. Applanation
  4. Non-contact or Automatic

DESCRIPTION

It is a diagnostic test which is done to determine whether the tear glands produce adequate tears to keep the eye moist. The test is based on the capillary action principle, which permits the water in the tears to go in the same direction down a paper test strip as it would in a horizontal capillary tube. The rate of tear formation is proportionate to the rate of travel down the test strip.

AIMS

  1. Assessment of patients with dry eyes and other conditions
  2. Evaluate quantity of aqueous in tear film production

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of applying medication in an ointment form into the eye.

AIMS

  1. To relieve pain and discomfort
  2. To treat eye diseases such as eye infections or dry eyes
  3. To lubricate and soothe the eye
  4. To deliver long acting topical medication
  5. To prevent certain eye complications such as exposure keratitis

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of dispensing of sterile ophthalmic solution into the eye of a patient.

AIMS

  1. For dilation of the pupil for examination
  2. To aid in diagnosis e.g. staining the cornea.
  3. For therapeutic purposes e.g. Antibiotic drops

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of fixing an artificial eye or eye prosthesis into the socket of a patient who has lost the eye due to various causes.

AIMS

  1. For anesthetic purposes
  2. Maintain the shape and increase comfort in the eye socket

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

This is the act of removing artificial eye from the socket of the eye as a result of discomfort, discharges and as a routine care.

AIMS

  1. For cleaning the socket in order to prevent infection, irritation to the eye, maintain regular polishing and natural appearance of the prosthesis
  2. To provide comfort and decrease mucosal drainage

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

An act of checking the intraocular pressure of the eyes by measuring the force necessary to flatten the cornea.

AIMS

  1. Screen for glaucoma
  2. Measure the pressure in the eye
  3. Assess progress of ocular treatment

TYPES

N/A

DESCRIPTION

It is the process to assess for the presence of aqueous humor leakage from the anterior chamber onto the ocular surface of the eye following injury or surgery.

AIMS

  1. To identify site of ocular leakage after globe injury
  2. To ensure appropriate wound closure after surgery
  3. To screen for corneal disorders such as post corneal trauma and corneal perforation

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

Hot Fomentation is a procedure carried out by the ophthalmic nurse in which moist heat is applied to the affected eye. It can also be done at home by patients themselves after taking through the procedure.

AIMS

  1. Aid in the absorption of eye medication e.g. dilating drop
  2. Reduce inflammation or swelling
  3. Aid in the rupturing of infected cyst or stye
  4. Reduce pain and give comfort

TYPES

  1. N/A

DESCRIPTION

An ocular surgery done to washout the anterior chamber of the eye in cases of hyphema and remnants of materials such as Visco Elastic Lens Matter and Silicon Oil.

AIMS

  1. Reduce intraocular pressure
  2. Prevent central corneal staining
  3. Improve vision

TYPES

  1. N/A