Open Angle Glaucoma

Case Study: Open Angle Glaucoma Patient: Mr. Smith, a 75-year-old male Chief Complaint: Blurry vision History of Present Illness: Mr. Smith presents to the clinic with a chief complaint of blurry vision. He states that he has been noticing the blurriness for the past few months, and it has been getting worse. He also reports having halos around lights and difficulty seeing at night. Past Medical History: Mr. Smith has a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes mellitus. He is a retired truck driver and has smoked for 50 years. Social History: Mr. Smith is married and has two adult children. He is retired and lives with his wife. He is a social drinker and does not use any illegal drugs. Physical Examination: Mr. Smith's vital signs are within normal limits. His visual acuity is 20/200 in both eyes. His intraocular pressure (IOP) is 25 mmHg in both eyes. His optic nerves are pale and cupped. Diagnosis: Open angle glaucoma Pathophysiology: Open angle glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that damages the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. In open angle glaucoma, the drainage channels in the eye become blocked, which causes the intraocular pressure (IOP) to rise. The increased IOP damages the optic nerve, which can lead to vision loss. Risk Factors: The risk factors for open angle glaucoma include:

• Age: The risk of developing open angle glaucoma increases with age.
• Family history: If you have a family history of open angle glaucoma, you are more likely to develop the disease.
• Race: African Americans are more likely to develop open angle glaucoma than Caucasians.
• Other eye diseases: If you have other eye diseases, such as cataracts or diabetes, you are more likely to develop open angle glaucoma.

Lab Studies: There are no specific lab studies that are used to diagnose open angle glaucoma. However, your doctor may order a visual field test to assess your peripheral vision. Treatments: There are a variety of treatments available for open angle glaucoma. The goal of treatment is to lower the IOP to a level that will prevent further damage to the optic nerve. The most common treatments for open angle glaucoma are eye drops, laser surgery, and surgery. Medications: The most common medications used to treat open angle glaucoma are eye drops. There are a variety of different eye drops available, and your doctor will choose the right one for you based on your individual needs. Nursing Interventions: The nursing interventions for open angle glaucoma focus on educating the patient about the disease and its treatment. The nurse will also monitor the patient's IOP and visual field regularly. Discussion Questions:

1. What are the risk factors for open angle glaucoma?
2. What are the different treatments available for open angle glaucoma?
3. What are the nursing interventions for open angle glaucoma?
4. What are the long-term complications of open angle glaucoma?
5. How can open angle glaucoma be prevented?

Conclusion: Open angle glaucoma is a chronic eye disease that can lead to vision loss. However, with early diagnosis and treatment, the progression of the disease can be slowed or stopped. It is important to see your doctor for regular eye exams, especially if you are at risk for open angle glaucoma.

Sample Solution

History of Present Illness: Mr. Smith presents to the clinic with a chief complaint of blurry vision. He states that he has been noticing the blurriness for the past few months, and it has been getting worse. He also reports having halos around lights and difficulty seeing at night.