NURS 1016: SENSORY CHANGES OF AGING EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Loss of elasticity
eyelids drooping (senile ptosis).
Ectropion/entropion
decrease in orbicular muscle strength.
Arcus senilis
lubricating cells decrease, causes irritation and dryness.
Eye and vision
- Cornea is flatter, less smooth and thicker→ loss of sparkling transparency
- Decreased ability to accommodate (presbyopia) to close and detailed work - begins in
the 30s
- Peripheral vision also deteriorates
- Pupil dilation and constriction is slowed
- Pupils become smaller (3x the light to see things)
- Lens opacity cataracts may develop (begin in the 40s)
- Colour clarity decreases. Easier to see reds, oranges and yellows than blues, violets
and greens
- May get - floaters
- Reabsorption of the intraocular fluid becomes less efficient (potential for glaucoma)
Keratoconjunctivitis
, dry eyes due to diminished tear duct production with aging. Risk increases: vitamin A
deficiency, medication, menopause. Treatment: artificial tears.
Glaucoma
Increased intraocular pressure. Normal IOP 12- 22 mmHg. Cause: variable & often
unknown, assoc. with diabetes. Most common type - open angle glaucoma. Risk
factors: Age. Family Hx. Steroid use. Past eye injuries. 'silent thief' - when dx 20%
vision lost. Drops to decrease IOP. Beta Blockers. May need laser surgery to prevent
any further vision loss.
Cataracts
occurs in those 65 +. Most common risk factor is heredity & advancing age. Fatty
deposits in the ocular lens, decreased lens opacity and decreased visual acuity.
Cataracts signs and symptoms
- Clouding of lens
- Halos around objects as light is diffused
- Blurry vision and diminished colour acuity
Treatment for cataracts
- Surgery- replacement of lens with an intraocular lens
- Nursing care and education
Age-related macular degeneration
- Macula degeneration
- Loss of central vision, only peripheral vision left intact
Acute macular degeneration (AMD)
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
Loss of elasticity
eyelids drooping (senile ptosis).
Ectropion/entropion
decrease in orbicular muscle strength.
Arcus senilis
lubricating cells decrease, causes irritation and dryness.
Eye and vision
- Cornea is flatter, less smooth and thicker→ loss of sparkling transparency
- Decreased ability to accommodate (presbyopia) to close and detailed work - begins in
the 30s
- Peripheral vision also deteriorates
- Pupil dilation and constriction is slowed
- Pupils become smaller (3x the light to see things)
- Lens opacity cataracts may develop (begin in the 40s)
- Colour clarity decreases. Easier to see reds, oranges and yellows than blues, violets
and greens
- May get - floaters
- Reabsorption of the intraocular fluid becomes less efficient (potential for glaucoma)
Keratoconjunctivitis
, dry eyes due to diminished tear duct production with aging. Risk increases: vitamin A
deficiency, medication, menopause. Treatment: artificial tears.
Glaucoma
Increased intraocular pressure. Normal IOP 12- 22 mmHg. Cause: variable & often
unknown, assoc. with diabetes. Most common type - open angle glaucoma. Risk
factors: Age. Family Hx. Steroid use. Past eye injuries. 'silent thief' - when dx 20%
vision lost. Drops to decrease IOP. Beta Blockers. May need laser surgery to prevent
any further vision loss.
Cataracts
occurs in those 65 +. Most common risk factor is heredity & advancing age. Fatty
deposits in the ocular lens, decreased lens opacity and decreased visual acuity.
Cataracts signs and symptoms
- Clouding of lens
- Halos around objects as light is diffused
- Blurry vision and diminished colour acuity
Treatment for cataracts
- Surgery- replacement of lens with an intraocular lens
- Nursing care and education
Age-related macular degeneration
- Macula degeneration
- Loss of central vision, only peripheral vision left intact
Acute macular degeneration (AMD)
