NURSING CARE RELATED TO THE SENSORY AND
NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEMS
1-12
Section III. TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES
1-12. PRECAUTIONS FOR THE EYES
To prevent injury to the eye and to apply the most effective methods of treatment, it is necessary to understand and practice safety precautions.
a. Cleansing the Eyelids. The eyelids are always cleansed prior to the instillation of any medication and the application of compresses and dressings. The eyelids must also be cleansed after the dressings are removed following eye surgery.
(1) The eyelids are cleansed with 2x2-inch gauze squares moistened in sterile normal saline or with a solution prescribed by the physician. With the patient's eyes closed, wipe gently from the inner canthus (corner) to the outer canthus. Be careful not to exert any pressure on the globe.
(2) Use a fresh piece of gauze for each stroke.
b. Positioning. Proper positioning of the patient prior to giving eye treatments is important to ensure that the head is under control and the eye is properly opened.
(1) When the patient is seated in a chair, the care giver may stand behind the patient to give support to the head.
(2) A patient lying in bed has sufficient support from the bed.
(3) To prevent injury when instilling drops or ointments, brace the hand holding the medication on the patient's forehead. This prevents your hand from shaking, and allows your hand to move with the patient.
(4) To prevent the spread of infection when irrigating the eye, tilt the patient's head toward the affected side so that the solution will flow from the inner canthus to the outer canthus. Do not allow the solution to flow across the nose into the unaffected eye. Do not touch the eye with the irrigating equipment.
