Question

A client diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma asks the nurse what that means. What should the nurse respond to this client? A) It is a rare type of glaucoma. B) One of the first signs of it is pain behind the eyes. C) It means that the condition occurs within days. D) The eye cannot drain the fluid that it produces.

Answer 1

Open-angle glaucoma is a condition that occurs when the eye is unable to drain fluid properly, leading to an increase in intraocular pressure and potential vision loss. This is most common in individuals over 40 years of age. The most accurate response to the client's question is that the eye cannot drain the fluid that it produces.

Step-by-step explanation:

Open-angle glaucoma refers to a condition where the eye is unable to properly drain the fluid it produces, leading to an increase in intraocular pressure. This buildup in pressure can cause loss of lateral peripheral vision or bilateral hemianopia, set apart from typical 'tunnel vision' because superior and inferior peripheral fields are intact. This condition often occurs due to blockage in the eye's circulation, where the intraocular pressure may rise high enough to cause damage. People over 40 years of age are at greater risk for this type of glaucoma and should regularly test their intraocular pressure. The answer the nurse should provide to the client's question is D) The eye cannot drain the fluid that it produces.

Learn more about Open-angle glaucoma