Case Studies

Case 15: A woman with deteriorating eye sight (Part 17 Vision)

Mrs Kaur, aged 70 years, lives in a flat over a shop in the high street of a busy market town. Her husband died a year ago and she has since lived alone, but her son owns the shop below and he visits her regularly when on business there. Normally she does her own housework, cooking and shopping. She enjoys knitting and listening to the radio. Over the past 18 months she has noticed that the vision in her left eye has deteriorated and her spectacles no longer seem to help. The problem with the sight of her left eye has not caused difficulty with daily activities except in reading small print in the newspaper and in knitting patterns. Her daughter-in-law notices that the furniture is often dusty and that Mrs Kaur, who was always house-proud, seems unaware of this. During this period Mrs Kaur visits her optician for sight testing and a change of glasses. On examination of her eyes, the optician diagnoses a cataract in the left eye and refers her to her GP, who makes an appointment for her to attend the ophthalmic outpatient department. She is placed on the waiting list for admission to hospital for cataract extraction. Meanwhile, the progress of the condition is monitored.

• 1. Why might a cataract cause loss of vision?

• 2. What is the pre-operative preparation that Mrs Kaur will require when admitted for surgery; think of this from a legal, physical and psychological perspective?

• 3. Describe Mrs Kaur's postoperative care after she returns to the ward.

• 4. How can loneliness impact on a person's health and well-being?

Mrs Kaur has had cataract surgery. Consider the health and social care support she may need when she returns to her home.