Vision Impairment Nursing Diagnosis

Residents can have many problems with health as they age and one of those may be related to their senses,such as vision problems. This puts the resident at high risk for injuries and accidents which can complicate the resident’s health status and also loss of self–confidence.

Vision Impairment Causes

One of the common problems for impaired vision is a disease called glaucoma. This is a condition where there is build up of excessive pressure in the eye resulting in blindness if not treated. Glaucoma affects the optic nerve which provides vision of the person. High tension due to intraocular pressure or pressure due to the fluid in the eye is the common cause for glaucoma.

Cataracts is the blurring of the eye lenses, which affect vision. Aging of the lens is usually the cause for a cataracts but there are also other factors trigger it.

Macular degeneration or the loss of central vision is another common problem for vision. The vision side to side of the eye is still present but the vision in the center is lost thus making residents to have difficulty walking while seeing.

Diabetic retinopathy on the other hand is a condition caused by diabetes. This is due to hardening of arteries of the eye resulting to damage to the retina then leading to vision loss.

Vision Impairment & Nursing Diagnoses

In assisting residents with these kinds of vision impairments, it is important to plan and also apply certain principles in order for the care to be effective. Vision loss is an hindrance in determining who might be entering the room therefore it is important to knock and identify one’s self first before entering. This is to keep the resident informed and be able to know the person coming in.

When placing the resident in a room, keep them well-versed of the surroundings and the organization of things inside, in order for the resident to visualize where he is and so he knows where to go and get the things he needs.

Impaired Vision in Nursing Care Plan

It is really important to pay special attention to impaired vision in nursing care plan. Some residents who still have little vision left need less attention, still you should maintain the right lighting in order for them to use their available vision. When giving care or doing a procedure to the resident, explain it to them before doing it, in order to keep them aware of what is happening to them and encourage cooperation.

Keep the bed in the lowest position possible, so that visually impaired residents will not have problems in going out of bed when they want to. Every person has fears of the unknown therefore explain noises that might be heard or sound different.

When feeding a resident with vision impairment describe each food and balance the pace of feeding to ensure safety and maintain appetite of the food. Give assistance while feeding, but also encourage them to be as independent as they can be.

Let the residents feel the light switch before leaving the room so that they will be familiar where to locate it. When walking with the resident and assisting him, stand next to the resident but slightly be behind them in order to be cautious for possible fall of residents and be able hold them.

Use a gait belt in order to securely hold the resident but make sure that the belt is properly placed around them. Use devices that can help improve the vision of residents such as magnifying glass, eyeglasses and other reading devices and keep these equipments clean and in perfect condition. Any damage or loss of the devices should be reported to the nurse immediately.