Cataracts

what is the greatest risk factor?

age.

what majority of cataracts form as a result of what?

aging.

what happens as the person ages?

as the lens ages, its fibers and proteins change and degenerate. The proteins clump, clouding the lens and reducing light transmission to the retina.

the process normally begins where?

at the periphery of the lens and gradually spreads to involve the central portion of the lens.

radiation cataracts?

can appear from long exposure to radiation.

what are secondary cataracts?

can form after surgery to treat another eye disorder, such as glaucoma, or as an effect of medication or another primary disorder.

what are traumatic cataracts?

can result from an injury to the eye.

common manifestations for age related cataracts?

cloudy/ opaque lens, may cause cloudy vision, halos, diplopia or photo phobia.

what the common manifestations for congenital cataracts?

diff from age onset cataracts, gray or white cloudy pupils, may not have "red eye" glow in photos.

teaching involves what?

focuses on the disorder, indications for surgery and vision restoration following cataract removal. Teaching adaptive strategies to deal with effects of the cataract on vision and depth perception.

health assessment should consist of?

how vision changes have impacted lifestyle, and activities. History of smoking, DM and use of prescription drugs associated with cataracts.

what is extracapsular extraction?

in which the anterior capsule, nucleus, and cortex of the lense are removed leaving the posterior capsule intact. Then they implant an artificial lense is possible.

what are cataracts?

is an opacification of the lens of the eye, it affects light transmission to the retina and the ability to perceive images clearly.

as the cataract continues to develop what happens to the lens?

it becomes opaque.

what are some of the post op and pre op teachings?

limitations such as avoiding reading, lifting, bending, strenuous activity and sleeping on operative side. Do not disturb eye dressing, prescribed meds and side effects, manifestations of post op complications such as eye pain, decreased vision or any other change in vision, headache nausea or itching, and redness of the affected eye.

Other risk factors involved?

long exposure to UV lights. smoking, alcohol consumption, eye trauma, blunt trauma, heat or radiation, DM and certain drugs.

what are some common complications of cataract surgery?

loss of V.H, corneal edema, ICP, hemorrhage, inflammation or infection, retinal detachment and displacement of the implanted lens.

Ways to manage cataracts that do not involve surgery?

magnifying glasses, stronger prescriptions lenses, brighter lighting or anti glare sunglasses.

congenital cataracts...

may appear in a child at birth or in childhood. Normally in both eyes.

after surgery what would the client normally experience?

mild to moderate discomfort and some fluid discharge. These symptoms normally go away in 1 to 2 days. Most cases healing will be complete in 7 to 8 weeks.

nursing diagnoses?

risk for injury related to visual impairment. Decisional conflict cataract removal, and risk for ineffective health maintenance.

clients who require doses of corticosteroids are at risk for?

secondary cataracts.

what is the only treatment used at this time for cataracts?

surgical removal, is available to prevent or treat them. Surgery is performed on only one eye at a time.

Physical examination should consist of?

using corrective lenses and Snellen chart. In each eye, presence of red reflex, cloudy gray or white pupil.

common manifestations?

visual acuity decreases, affecting both close and far distance vision. Light rays are scattered as they pass through the lens, individuals complain of glare. Glare affects the ability to adjust from light to dark environments. Color discrimination is impaired, mainly in the blue and purple range. The pupil may appear cloudy gray or white rather than black.

how to prevent injury?

wear sunglasses with UVA/ UVB protection when outdoors. Use prescription glasses, maximize lighting for reading, and other activities, limit or discontinue night time driving.

what is an immature cataract?

when only a portion of the lens is affected.

what is considered a mature cataract?

when the entire lens is opaque. In addition to clouding the lens may discolor over time affecting the ability to discriminate colors.

do cataracts tend to form bilaterally?

yes, but they form at a different rate.