Care of Eyes
- 1. CARE OF EYES Prepared by : Mrs.Leena Sameep Sakpal. Nursing Tutor
- 2. INTRODUCTION • The eyes are important organ which require no special care in daily life. • Hygienic care of the eyes prevents infection and helps to maintain the functions. • Hygienic care of the eyes is always done as part of the general bathing procedure.
- 3. DEFINITION “Process of cleaning one/both eyes using prescribed solution for removing secretion and for preventing infection.”
- 4. PURPOSE • To relieve pain and discomfort. • To prevent infection. • To prevent any further injury to the eye. • To provide instillation of an eyedrop or application of an eye ointment.
- 5. ARTICLES ARTICLES RATIONALE 1. Mackintosh and towel ‒ To protect the pillow and bed linen. 2. Sterile bowl with sterile cotton swabs ‒ To clean the eyes. 3. Sterile norMal saline or any other ordered solution. ‒ To clean the eyes. 4. Kidney tray ‒ To recieve wet waste. 5. Paper bag ‒ To recieve dry waste. 6. Clean face towel ‒ To wipe the face after the procedure.
- 6. NURSE’S RESPONSIBILITY PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT 1. Check the diagnosis of the client. 2. Check the physician's order to see the specific precautions regarding the care of eyes, the client's movements and positioning. 3. Assess the general condition of the client and the ability to follow directions. 4. Check the articles available in the client's unit.
- 7. PREPARATION OF THE CLIENT AND THE UNIT 1. Explain the procedure to the client. 2. Explain how the client can help you. 3. Adjust the bed to the comfortable working of the nurse. 4. Arrange the articles conveniently on the bedside table. 5. Keep the client flat if the condition permits. Remove all pillows leaving one pillow under the head. 6. Protect the pillow and the bed with a mackintosh and towel placed under the head.
- 8. PROCEDURE SR. NO. STEPS OF PROCEDURE RATIONALE 1. Wash hands. To prevent cross infection. 2. Pour sterile saline into the bowl and wet the cotton swabs. To clean the eyes of the patient. 3. Stand in front of the client, clean the eyes with the sterile swabs. Discard the swabs into the paper bag. Continue cleaning till all discharges are removed from the eyes. To provide eye care to the patient.
- 9. SR. NO . STEPS OF PROCEDURE RATIONALE 4. For crusted secretions, place a wet warm gauze piece or cotton swab over the closed eye. Leave it in place until the crust becomes soft. Warm compress makes the crusts to become soft so that it can be removed without traumatizing the mucosa. 5. When the eyes are clean, stop the procedure. Wipe the face with the face towel.
- 10. AFTER CARE OF THE CLIENT AND ARTICLES 1. Instill any medications that is ordered, if any. 2. Remove the mackintosh and towel from under the client's head. 3. Adjust the position of the client in bed. 4. Tidy up the bed and make the client comfortable. 5. Take all articles to the utility room. Clean them. Boil the bowl. Send the towels to laundry. Replace the articles to proper places. 6. Wash hands thoroughly. 7. Record the treatment with date and time. Record the observations made on the nurse's record.
- 11. GENERAL INSTRUCTION ‒ Area of the swab touched by the fingers should not come in contact with eyes. ‒ Squeeze off the excessive water from the swabs. ‒ No pressure on the eye ball. ‒ Gently wipe the lids from the inner to the outer canthus to prevent the particles and fluid from draining into the nasolacrimal duct. . ‒ One swab for one swabbing. ‒ Separate swabs for each eye to prevent spreading of infection from one eye to another eye..