General Nursing©

CATARACTS

In patients with cataracts, nurses usually administer antibiotic ointment or drops on the affected eye to prevent infection. We also administer steroids to reduce inflammation, or a combination of steroid and antibiotic eye drops. We watch and note for complications such as iris prolapse, sharp pain in the eye (hyphema), and decreased vision.

What is Cataracts?

The lens of the eye focuses the light on the retina, allowing us to see well. As we age, the lens begins to accumulate scar tissue (cataracts), so that eventually, in many persons, light does not penetrate through the lens, as it should. Decreased vision, particularly at night, comes first. Ultimately, blindness can result. The same process is generally going on in eyes, although often at quite different rates.

Prevention

We do not know anyway to prevent the scarring in the lens, although prolonged heavy exposure to bright sunlight without sunglasses is suspected to speed the process. However, the medical problem of loss of vision can be effectively treated. Cataracts are treated by surgery. A surprising number of people do not notice the slow decrease in vision with cataracts and delay the corrective operations far too long. This results in needless decline in the quality of life. Be alert of loss of vision. Cover one eye and then the other, and check to see if vision is equal.

Be particularly alert for problems with depth perception or in seeing at twilight or after dark. Have a formal eye examination every few years, or more often if you seem to be having problems.