PRE-OPERATIVE CARE

Ophthalmic patients are normally admitted before
surgeries are performed between 24 to 48 hours so as to be able to prepare them
physically and psychologically. However, the preparation of patient before
surgeries is very vital and determined operative outcome, as a result of this,
the following are very essential in order to determine the expected outcome.

1.      ADMISSION:
Patients are normally admitted 24 to 48 hours.

This is to enable the patient to
prepare adequately getting acquainted to the ward and hospital environment, as
well as the rules and regulations relating to the surgery.

2.      INVESTIGATION:
This is to carry out to rule out general ill-health such as – urine testing for
protein and glucose

·        
IOP is taken to rule out increase
intraocular pressure

·        
B/P: To rule out hypertension

·        
Skin Snip is taken to rule out Onchocerciasis

·        
Blood specimen for HB PCV FBC WBC and FBS

·        
Orientation: the patient is introduced to
the ward staff and other patients that have had similar operation performed on
them.

·        
ORIENTATION: The nature of the operation
should be explained to the patient and relatives. It should be informed what is
expected of him such as: lying on his back side, keeping his head in a safe
position, covering of the eye and few visitors are expected at a time etc.

·        
CONSENT FORM: The consent form is signed
by the patient or relative to serve as an ethno-legal purpose.

PRE-OPERATIVE CARE:

·        
Eyelashes are trimmed.

·        
Forehead of the site to be operated is
marked with a piece of plaster

·        
Give prescribed eye drug: for cataract
dilates the eye while glaucoma should be constricted with Pilocarpine.

BOWEL CARE: Patient is
starved over night usually from 12 midnight. Although it depends on the
surgeon’s instruction or patient may be asked to take light diet, the morning
before the surgery. Ensure patient empty his bladder and rectum.

PERSONAL HYGIENE: Ask patient
to take a thorough bath.

VITAL SIGN: 

Vital Signs are rechecked
and recorded and patient is dressed with the theatre gown.

·        
Ensure Debentures rings, necklace are
removed and kept in a safe custody

·        
Long hair is packed covered with a cap.

·        
The lid and surrounding are cleaned with
drug ordered are instilled.

·        
Take patient to the theatre on a trolley
or may be accompany on walk with all his document and the nurse hand over to the
theatre nurse.

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