Question

A client who had previously undergone cataract surgery tells the nurse that she has begun seeing flashing lights and floaters in the eye. Based on the client's history, the nurse interprets that the client is at risk of:

Answer 1

Seeing flashing lights and floaters post-cataract surgery could indicate a risk of retinal detachment, which is an emergency situation. Cataracts, a cause of blindness due to lens clouding, can be corrected with surgery and prevented with UV protection sunglasses.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a client who has previously undergone cataract surgery reports seeing flashing lights and floaters in the eye, the nurse may interpret that the client is at risk of a retinal detachment. This is because the symptoms described are classic signs that can indicate a tear or detachment of the retina, which can occur after the type of surgery they have had. This is a medical emergency and should be assessed by an ophthalmologist immediately. Cataracts, which are caused by a clouding of the lens of the eye, can lead to blindness if untreated but can be corrected by replacing the lens with a plastic one. Wearing UV protection sunglasses, especially those made of plastic, is also important for preventing the formation of cataracts.