In Surgery

Most ophthalmic nurses work in an ambulatory surgery center or OR. Patients with eye problems are rarely hospitalized postoperatively, so nurses must provide a broad range of nursing care. They give preoperative instruction, perform preoperative assessments, and comfort worried or anxious patients and their families. During surgery, they may circulate, applying their expertise in using and troubleshooting the complicated ophthalmic instrumentation, while continuing to focus their on the patient.

Ophthalmic RNs also function as surgical assistants, using specialized knowledge of ocular anatomy and physiology as well as extensive knowledge of ocular pathology to assist the ophthalmologist during surgical procedures. The expertise of the ophthalmic nurse makes the surgery easier for the surgeon, less stressful for the patient, and more cost-efficient for the facility.

Many ambulatory surgery centers specialize in ophthalmic surgery and depend on registered nurses to provide the necessary knowledge and skills necessary in giving high-quality patient care while maintaining cost-services.

In the Clinic

The second most common work area for ophthalmic nurses is the clinic or office. This work requires a broad knowledge of ophthalmic topics including anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, ocular assessment and pathology.

Nurses in this setting have unique skills and perform highly specialized ophthalmic assessments, including examinations and procedures such as or indirect ophthalmoloscopy, slit lamp biomicrosopy, IV fluorescein angiography, or ophthalmic ultrasound. They also use general nursing skills and knowledge indispensable when dealing with patients who have underlying or concurrent systemic disorders. Furthermore, these nurses provide patient education, giving patients important information to assist them in understanding disease processes and in making healthcare decisions.

Patients facing surgery or potential surgery need accurate and understandable information to make informed decisions about the procedure. Because patients know RNs, they trust nurses to provide this important information. This helps the patient, frees the ophthalmologist to provide medical and surgical ophthalmic care, and assists in implementing risk management strategies that help clinics and private offices provide excellent patient care and keep costs down.

More Opportunities

The specialized knowledge of ophthalmic RNs make them an excellent choice for management positions. In the healthcare climate today, which stresses cost-effectiveness and outcomes, these nurses offer knowledge and skills that provide a competitive advantage to facilities.

Home healthcare ophthalmic nurses often see patients who have had complicated and delicate ophthalmic surgery. They must be able to accurately patients’ postoperative status and provide education to help patients understand their recovery process and to help them learn the self-care skills necessary for an uneventful recovery.

Advanced practice nurses are just beginning to see the opportunities in ophthalmic nursing, especially in caring for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Resources

The best resource to learn more about this field is the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses (ASORN). Traditionally a group of registered nurses, ASORN now has affiliate members who are licensed practical nurses (LPNs), ophthalmic medical personnel, ophthalmologists, business professionals, and administrators. Anyone with an interest in ensuring that ophthalmic patients receive excellent care is eligible to be an affiliate member.

Visit the organization’s website at http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/asorn and look at Professional Choices under Opportunities. The specialty’s unique body of knowledge is codified in the Core Curriculum for Ophthalmic Registered Nursing.

Look to the Future

Ophthalmic nursing is full of opportunities for dedicated and highly skilled nurses who want to provide excellent care to patients with ophthalmic health concerns. Although it is a highly specialized field, it is also a career full of opportunities for nurses who want to use their general nursing knowledge and skills. If you’re interested in a career in ophthalmic nursing, visit ASORNs website. You may find just what you’re looking for!