LESSON 1
IRRIGATE, INSTILL EYE DROPS, AND APPLY OINTMENTS TO THE EYE
1-1.
GENERAL
As we well know, life revolves around our eyes. Eye injuries do happen and can
be very painful and serious. Accurate and immediate treatment can minimize pain and
may help to prevent damage to the eye. This lesson will include procedures to irrigate,
instill eye drops, and apply ointments to the eye. However, we will begin the lesson by
reviewing background information.
1-2.
REVIEW OF THE EYE STRUCTURE
a. The eye is also called oculus. It is the organ for vision. The eye is
approximately 1-inch in diameter, spherical in shape and is suspended within the bony
orbit of the skull. The shape of the eye is maintained by a jelly-like mass called vitreous
humor.
b. Abbreviations associated with the eye are:
(1)
O.D. (oculus dexter)--right eye.
(2)
O.S. (oculus sinister)--left eye.
(3)
O.U. (oculus uterque)--both eyes.
1-3.
PARTS OF THE EYE
It will be to your advantage to become familiar with the following terms and
definitions. You should also know their location. (See figure 1-1.)
a. Iris--the colored portion of the eye.
b. Pupil--the opening in the center of the iris where light is permitted to enter.
c. Cornea--he normally transparent anterior surface of the eye.
d. Sclera-- the "white coat" of the eye.
e. Limbus-- the edge of the cornea where the cornea joins the sclera.
f. Inner/outer canthus--the angle formed by lids at either end of the eyelids.
g. Nasolacrimal duct--the channel where tears flow from the eye (lacrimal
punctum) through the nose.
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