Perioperative considerations of glaucoma

Perioperative nurses need to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the globe and the physiological effects of the intraocular pressure from glaucoma. Surgical procedures are implemented initially for closed-angle (acute) and congenital glaucoma because of the emergent status of the diagnosis. The patient with open-angle (chronic) glaucoma may have a prolonged medical treatment before the need for surgical procedures.