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 Priorities

  1. Prevent further visual deterioration.
  2. Promote adaptation to changes in/reduced visual acuity.
  3. Prevent complications.
  5. Nursing Care Plans

Discharge Goals

  1. Vision maintained at highest possible level.
  2. Patient coping with situation in a positive manner.
  3. Complications prevented/minimized.
  4. Disease process/prognosis and therapeutic regimen understood.
  5. Plan in place to meet needs after discharge.

Below are 3 nursing care plans for Glaucoma.

1. Disturbed Visual Sensory Perception

Nursing Diagnosis

  • Sensory Perception, disturbed: visual

May be related to

  • Altered sensory reception: altered status of sense organ

Possibly evidenced by

  • Progressive loss of visual field

Desired Outcomes

  • Participate in therapeutic regimen.
  • Maintain current visual field/acuity without further loss.
Nursing Interventions Rationale
Determine type and degree of visual loss. Affects choice of interventions and patient’s future expectations.
Allow expression of feelings about loss and possibility of loss of vision. Although early intervention can prevent blindness, patient faces the possibility or may have already experienced partial or complete loss of vision. Although vision loss cannot be restored (even with treatment), further loss can be prevented.
Implement measures to assist patient to manage visual limitations such as reducing clutter, arranging furniture out of travel path; turning head to view subjects; correcting for dim light and problems of night vision. Reduces safety hazards related to changes in visual fields or loss of vision and papillary accommodation to environmental light.
Demonstrate administration of eye drops (counting drops, adhering to schedule, not missing doses). Controls IOP, preventing further loss of vision.
Assist with administration of medications as indicated: These direct-acting topical myotic drugs cause pupillary constriction, facilitating the outflow of aqueous humor and lowering IOP. Note: Ocusert is a disc (similar to a contact) that is placed in the lower eyelid, where it can remain for up to 1 wk before being replaced.
Stress the importance of meticulous compliance with prescribed drug therapy. To prevent an increase in IOP, resulting in disk changes and loss of vision.
Chronic, open-angle glaucoma Pilocarpine hydrochloride (Isopto Carpine, Ocusert [disc], Pilopine HS gel); [Beta]-blockers decrease formation of aqueous humor without changing pupil size, vision, or accommodation. Note: These drugs may be contraindicated or require close monitoring for systemic effects in the presence of bradycardia or asthma.
Timolol maleate (Timoptic), betaxolol (Betoptic), carteolol (Ocupress), metipranolol (OptiPranolol), levobunolol (Betagan); Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors decrease the rate of production of aqueous humor. Note: Systemic adverse effects are common, including mood disturbances, GI upset, and fatigue.
Acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (Neptazane), dorzolamide (Trusopt). Contracts the sphincter muscles of the iris, deepens anterior chamber, and dilates vessels of outflow tract during acute attack or before surgery.
Narrow-angle (angle-closure) type Myotics (until pupil is constricted); Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors like acetazolamide (Diamox); dichlorphenamide (Daranide); methazolamide (Neptazane); Decreases secretion of aqueous humor and lowers IOP.
Sympathomimetids: dipivefrin (Propine), bromonidine (Alphagan), epinephrine (Epifrin), apraclonidine (Lopidine), latanoprost (Xalatan); Adrenergic drops also decrease formation of aqueous humor and may be beneficial when patient is unresponsive to other medications. Although free of side effects such as miosis, blurred vision, and night blindness, they have potential for additive adverse cardiovascular effects in combination with other cardiovascular agents. Note: Light-colored eyes are more responsive to these drugs than dark-colored eyes, necessitating added considerations when determining appropriate dosage.
Provide sedation, analgesics as necessary. Acute glaucoma attack is associated with sudden pain, which can precipitate anxiety and agitation, further elevating IOP. Medical management may require 4–6 hr before IOP decreases and pain subsides.
Prepare for surgical intervention as indicated: Laser therapy such as argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), trabeculectomy or trephination; Filtering operations (laser surgery) are highly successful procedures for reducing IOP by creating an opening between the anterior chamber and the subjunctival spaces so that aqueous humor can bypass the trabecular mesh block. Note: Apraclonidine (Lopidine) eye drops may be used in conjunction with laser therapy to lessen or prevent postprocedure elevations of IOP.
Iridectomy; Surgical removal of a portion of the iris facilitates drainage of aqueous humor through a newly created opening in the iris connecting to normal outflow channels. Note: Bilateral iridectomy is performed because glaucoma usually develops in the other eye.
Postoperative care after peripheral iridectomy includes cycloplegic eyedrops. To relax the ciliary muscle and to decrease inflammation, thus preventing adhesions. Cycloplegics must be used only in the affected eye. the use of these drops in the normal eye may precipitate an attack od acute angle-closure glaucoma in this eye, threatening the patient’s residual vision.
Malento valve implant; Separates ciliary body from the sclera to facilitate outflow of aqueous humor.
Cyclocryotherapy; Used in intractable glaucoma.
Diathermy or cryosurgery If other treatments fail, destruction of the ciliary body reduces formation of aqueous humor
Aqueous-venous shunt; Experimental ocular implant device corrects and prevents scarring over or closure of drainage sac created by trabeculectomy.

2. Anxiety

Nursing Diagnosis

  • Anxiety [specify level]

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 condition. These factors affect patient perception of threat to self, potentiate the cycle of anxiety, and may interfere with medical attempts to control IOP.
Give accurate, honest information. Discuss probability that careful monitoring and treatment can prevent additional visual loss. Lessens anxiety related to unknown or future expectations, and provides factual basis for making informed choices about treatment.
Allow patient to acknowledge concerns and express feelings. Provides opportunity for patient to deal with reality of situation, clarify misconceptions, and problem-solve concerns
Identify helpful resources and people. Provides reassurance that patient is not alone in dealing with problem.

3. Knowledge Deficit

Nursing Diagnosis

  • Knowledge, deficient [Learning Need] regarding condition, prognosis, treatment, self-care, and discharge needs

May be related to

  • Lack of exposure/unfamiliarity with resources
  • Lack of recall, information misinterpretation

Possibly evidenced by

  • Questions; statement of misconception
  • Inaccurate follow-through of instruction
  • Development of preventable complications

Desired Outcomes

  • Verbalize understanding of condition, prognosis, and treatment.
  • Identify relationship of signs/symptoms to the disease process.
  • Verbalize understanding of treatment needs.
  • Correctly perform necessary procedures and explain reasons for the actions.
Nursing Interventions Rationale
Stress the importance of glaucoma screening. For early detection and prevention. All people older than age 35, especially those with family histories of glaucoma, should have an annual tonometric examination.
Review pathology and prognosis of condition and lifelong need for treatment. Provides opportunity to clarify and dispel misconceptions and present condition and something that is manageable.
Discuss necessity of wearing identification (MedicAlert bracelet). Vital to provide information for caregivers in case of emergency to reduce risk of receiving contraindicated drugs (atropine).
Demonstrate proper technique for administration of eye drops, gels, or discs. Have patient perform return demonstration. Enhances effectiveness of treatment. Provides opportunity for patient to show competence and ask questions.
Review importance of maintaining drug schedule like eye drops. Discuss medications that should be avoided such as mydriatric drops (atropine, propantheline bromide), overuse of topical steroids, and additive effects of [beta]-blocking when systemic [beta]-blocking agents are used. This disease can be controlled, not cured, and maintaining a consistent medication regimen is vital to control. Some drugs cause pupil dilation, increasing IOP and potentiating additional loss of vision. Note: All [beta]-blocking glaucoma medications are contraindicated in patient with greater than first-degree heart block, cardiogenic shock, or overt heart failure.
Identify potential side effects and adverse reactions of treatment such as decreased appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, “drugged” feeling, decreased libido, impotence, cardiac irregularities, syncope, heart failure (HF). Drug side and adverse effects range from uncomfortable to severe or health-threatening. Approximately 50% of patients develop sensitivity or allergy to parasympathomi-metics (pilocarpine) or anticholinesterase drugs. These problems require medical evaluation and possible change in therapeutic regimen.
Encourage patient to make necessary changes in lifestyle. A tranquil lifestyle decreases the emotional response to stress, preventing ocular changes that push the iris forward, which may precipitate an acute attack.
Reinforce avoidance of activities such as heavy lifting and pushing, snow shoveling, wearing tight or constricting clothing. May increase IOP, precipitating acute attack. Note: If patient is not experiencing pain, cooperation with drug regimen and acceptance of lifestyle changes are often difficult to sustain.
Discuss dietary considerations (adequate fluid, bulk or fiber intake). Measures to maintain consistency of stool to avoid constipation and straining during defecation.
Stress importance of routine checkups. Important to monitor progression and maintenance of disease to allow for early intervention and prevent further loss of vision.
Advise patient to immediately report severe eye pain, inflammation, increased photophobia, increased lacrimation, changes in visual field, veil-like curtain, blurred vision, flashes of light and particles floating in visual field. Prompt action may be necessary to prevent further vision loss and other complications (detached retina).
Recommend family members be examined regularly for signs of glaucoma Hereditary tendency to shallow anterior chambers places family members at increased risk for developing the condition. Note: African-Americans in every age category should have frequent examinations because of increased incidence and more aggressive course of glaucoma in these individuals.
Identify strategies and resources for socialization like support groups, Visually Impaired Society, local library, and transportation services. Decreased visual acuity may limit patient’s ability to drive and cause patient to withdraw from usual activities.

Other Nursing Diagnoses:

  • Trauma, risk for—poor vision.
  • Social Interaction, impaired—limited physical mobility (poor vision), inadequate support system.
  • Therapeutic Regimen: ineffective management—complexity of therapeutic regimen, economic difficulties, inadequate number and type of cues to action, perceived seriousness (of condition) or benefit (versus side effects)

See Also