Glaucoma or Increased intraocular pressure (IOP) is the result of inadequate drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye. It is a condition that causes damage to your eye’s optic nerve and gets worse over time. The increased pressure causes atrophy of the optic nerve and, if untreated, blindness. Glaucoma tends to be inherited and may not show up until later in life.
There are two primary categories of glaucoma: (1) open-angle and (2) closed-angle (or narrow angle). Chronic open-angle glaucoma is the most common type, accounting for 90% of all glaucoma cases. It develops slowly, may be associated with diabetes and myopia, and may develop in both eyes simultaneously. Chronic glaucoma has no early warning signs, and the loss of peripheral vision occurs so gradually that substantial optic nerve damage can occur before glaucoma is detected.
Narrow-angle, or angle-closure, glaucoma is the less common form and may be associated with eye trauma, various inflammatory processes, and pupillary dilation after the instillation of mydriatic drops. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is manifested by sudden excruciating pain in or around the eye, blurred vision, and ocular redness. This condition constitutes a medical emergency because blindness may suddenly ensue.
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing care planning and management for patients with glaucoma include: preventing further visual deterioration, promote adaptation to changes in reduced visual acuity, prevent complications and injury.
Here are three (3) nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for glaucoma:
Anxiety
Nursing Diagnosis
- Anxiety
May be related to
- Physiological factors, change in health status; presence of pain; possibility/reality of loss of vision
- Unmet needs
- Negative self-talk
Possibly evidence by
- Apprehension, uncertainty
- Expressed concern regarding changes in life events
Desired Outcomes
- Appear relaxed and report anxiety is reduced to a manageable level.
- Demonstrate problem-solving skills.
- Use resources effectively.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Evaluate anxiety level, degree of pain experienced or suddenness of onset of symptoms, and current knowledge of the condition. | These factors affect the patient’s perception of threat to self, potentiate the cycle of anxiety, and may interfere with medical attempts to control IOP. |
| Give accurate, honest information. Discuss the probability that careful monitoring and treatment can prevent additional visual loss. | Lessens anxiety related to unknown or future expectations, and provides a factual basis for making informed choices about treatment. |
| Allow the patient to acknowledge concerns and express feelings. | Provides an opportunity for the patient to deal with the reality of the situation, clarify misconceptions, and problem-solve concerns |
| Identify helpful resources and people. | Provides reassurance that patient is not alone in dealing with the problem. |
Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
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- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023Â (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other ophthalmic nursing care plans:
Hello, just wanted to alert you that the description for meds are switched up. Timolol is beta blocker (not carbonic anhydrase inhibitor) pilocarpic is cholinergic which contracts the iris (not beta blocker) and acetazolamide is carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. There must have been a mix up when creating the table. My prof shared this with the class and I was like wait a min but she didnt believe me because nursing profs act like they know everything and are infallible and students are never right. This type of toxic culture that exists in nursing education can really be discouraging. One day I will be the nursing prof who is different and treats everyone with empathy, compassion, and respect.
I completely understand. I am in the final months of nursing school. It’s not that easy to just switch instructors. I wish it was. Anyway thank you for wanting to be that better person/Instructor. I have the same plan.
Thank you for sharing BeAnon, I feel you in so many levels. The good thing is that not every professor is/has been like that, but there are a few that are. I’m happy to hear you want make it to a Nurse educator and be a better professor, that those who just “know it all”. Good luck in your nursing journey.
Sir, not all professors act alike. As with ethnic groups, generalizations about anyone are very damaging and borne of ignorance.
If you have a professor who “acts like they know everything,” I suggest you find a new professor. Even those of us with doctoral degrees continue to learn every day. That’s why the NLN espouses the Spirit of Inquiry.
Thanks sir for your easily understandable nursing care plan of Glaucoma.