Preoperative nursing conditions
Physical assessment
A number of physiological tests may be
carried out preoperatively, including
ECG, chest X-ray and a full blood count.
The results are used to determine the type
of anaesthesia that should be given and to
exclude undiagnosed systemic disease that
may have a bearing on treatment. Systemic
disorders often have ocular sequelae and
may be relevant to the care of the patient,
e.g. diabetes mellitis (Corrin, 1993).
Keratometry and ultrasonography may
also be carried out. Keratometry readings
(measurement of corneal curvature) and
ultrasonography (to measure the axial
length of the eyeball and perhaps also
determine an intact retina) may have been
carried out on an outpatient basis before
admission. These aid the calculation of
synthetic lens power. The patient s' > >