Providing Successful Nursing Care to the Foreign Patient with Glaucoma, a Case Study.

Purpose:To recommend what is necessary for successful nurslng care for a foreign patient from the ophthalmologic clinic who had glaucoma. Methodology:A qualitative case report using data from an open ended interview and the client's medical and nursing records. Case:A South-East Asian female mamied to a Japanese in her 40's. Diagnosis:Glaucoma left eye. History:2004,June In "B"clinic, glaucoma was informed as`high pressure' which she did not understand.Eye drops were prescribed without explanation. 2005, January She visited "B"clinic again with left eye pressure 21mmHg. She understood her diagnosis by the translator she brought. Because she became frightened by the side effcts and at the same time the discomfort in her right eye remained, stopped her eye drops. 2005, February After her ophthalmologist scolded her badly for stopplng her eye drops, she was scared to retum to him. March, 2005 she attended "C" clinic with left eye pressure 22mmHg. Nursing Problems: 1 Poor understanding glaucoma, 2 Anxiety about side effect of eye drops. 3 Confusing the symptoms of glaucoma and dry eye. 4 Cannot ask question because of fear of doctor. NursingCare:1 Educate about glaucoma. 2 Explain the purpose for eye drops including side effects. 3 Clarify the differences between glaucoma and dry eye. 4 Treat her with empathy, openness, and respect. 5 Advocate for her during her consultation with the doctor and support her when she wants to ask questions. Outcome: She understood her diagnosis and treatments and applied eye drops regularly. Her eye pressure dropped to normal