A short presentation on what to look for in the older patient. Whats normal and what isn't.

1. EYE SEE YOU Traci Boudreaux, Student Nurse L.E. Fletcher Technical Community College Med- Surge I March 25, 2011

2. It is often said that the eyes are the windows to someone’s soul…but some believe that the eyes are a map of the human body. Our every emotion and even sickness can be discerned by our eyes! Most of the sensory input to the brain is through the eyes (Swartz). Greek mythology recognized the importance of the eye and has many representations. Age-old link between the genitalia and the eye. They provide so much visible information, yet the eyes are mostly ignored until they become problematic.

3. Louisiana’s Population of those 60+, according to the U.S. Census

4. What does this mean for us? Considering that nearly twenty percent or over 800,000 of Louisiana’s population is currently over the age of 60 (and that number is expected to climb) we should be aware of what to look for in our patients’ eyes that can clue us in on the best care to provide! According to Dr. David Quillen , one in every three people over age 65 has an eye condition that may cause vision loss. Based on this, what do we need to be aware of? Common eye disorders Common eye diseases Normal signs associated with the aging process.

5. Anatomy of the Human Eye Credit astro1.panet.utoledo.edu/~lsa_color/17_eyO.htm

6. Normal Age – Related Eye Changes Smaller and less responsive pupil Presbyopia – loss of focusing power Yellowing of the lens. Drooping of the eye lids Drying/tearing of the eyes Arcussenilis Picture taken from eyerounds.org

7. Vision- threatening Eye Disorders. CATARACT – an opacity of the lens. MACULAR DEGENERATION- blurred vision due to the cellular breakdown of the macula GLAUCOMA- fluid pressure within the eye causes damage to the optic nerve Cataract picture from healthbase.com Narrow-angle glaucoma picture from www.drtomcampbell.com

10. Is the eye painful?

11. Did the pain occur suddenly?

12. Can you describe the pain?

13. Does the light bother the eye?

14. Do you have headaches?

15. Do you have pain when you blink?

16. Do you have the sensation of something in the eye?

17. Do you have pain with the movement of the eye?

19. All it takes is a few minutes… Look Note any abnormalities in shape, color, or responsiveness. Ask Ask the patient about pain, redness, headaches, double vision, blurry vision, or loss of vision. Medications Record a thorough list of all medications. Remember that sometimes the onset of symptoms is so gradual that the patient may not even realize there is a problem.

20. Works Cited (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2011, from Iris Diagnosis: http://www.irisdiagnosis.org/new/index.html Census, U. (n.d.). Administration on Aging. Retrieved March 24, 2011, from Dpeartment of Health & Human Services: http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/future_growth/future_growth.aspx Rockwell, K. (n.d.). Eye Disorders in the Elderly. Retrieved March 24, 2011, from LiveStrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/131806-eye-disorders-elderly/ Swartz, M. H. (2010). The Eye. In M. H. Swartz, Textbook of Physical Diagnosis (pp. 212-293). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.