The document discusses various general eye procedures including instilling medications into the eye to treat issues like infections or inflammation, irrigating the eye to remove chemicals or foreign bodies, and applying dressings or patches to eyes to promote healing or protect the eye. It also covers removing foreign particles or contact lenses from the eye, noting when medical intervention is required and precautions to take like evaluating the cornea and determining lens type.

1. General Eye Procedures
Armie Jade S. Gante, RN

2. INSTILLATION OF
MEDICATIONS

3. • Ophthalmic medications may be used for
diagnostic and therapeutic purposes:
– To dilate or contract the pupil
– To relieve pain, discomfort, itching, and
inflammation
– To act as an antiseptic in cleansing the eye
– To combat infection

4. IRRIGATION OF THE EYE

5. • Ocular irrigation is often necessary for the
following:
– To irrigate chemicals or foreign bodies from the
eyes
– To remove secretions from the conjunctival sac
– To treat infections
– To relieve itching
– To provide moisture on the surface of the eyes
of an unconscious patient

6. APPLICATION OF
DRESSING OR PATCH

7. • One or both eyes may need shielding for
the following:
– To keep an eye at rest, thereby promoting
healing
– To prevent the patient from touching eye
– To absorb secretions
– To protect the eye
– To control or lessen edema

8. REMOVING A PARTICLE
FROM THE EYE

9. • Typically, removing a foreign body from the eye is
an uncomplicated first-aid measure
• However, if the object appears to be embedded,
medical intervention is required, that is, local
anesthetic, antibiotic therapy, and clinical
expertise in using other instruments
• The cornea should be evaluated for abrasion from
the foreign body by use of fluorescein staining,
even if a foreign body cannot be found

10. REMOVING CONTACT
LENSES

11. EQUIPMENT
• Containers
• Labels
• Normal saline
• Towel
• Good lighting
• Eye suction cup (optional)

12. • Because contact lenses need regular
cleaning and changing, if a person is
injured and incapacitated because of an
accident, sickness, or other cause, the
lenses should be removed
• Contact lenses should be removed in
conjunction with a thorough eye exam
• An optometrist or ophthalmologist may
need to be called.

13. • Determine the type of lens from the patient
or family.
– Soft corneal lenses are widely used
– The diameter covers the cornea plus a portion
of the sclera of the eye
– Extended- and daily-wear soft lenses are
available

14. – Rigid or gas-permeable lenses are usually
smaller than the cornea of the eye, although
some are made to extend beyond the cornea
onto the sclera of the eye
– These lenses need to be removed promptly.

15. • Do not remove lenses if the iris is not
visible on opening the eyelids; await the
arrival of an ophthalmologist
• If patient is to be transported, note that
contacts are in the eyes
• Write out the message and tape it to the
patient or send with transporter