The nurse was discussing open-angle glaucoma with a patient who was newly diagnosed with glaucoma. Which statement by the patient indicates more teaching is needed?

a) "Use a sterile glove and applicator to apply the antibiotic ointment." Using sterile equipment is not necessary for the application of ophthalmic ointment. The key is proper hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection.
b) "Keep your eye open for 30 sec after instilling the ointment." It is unnecessary to keep the eye open for 30 seconds after applying the ointment. It should be gently closed to help distribute the medication.
c) "Always wipe from the outer to the inner canthus when wiping away secretions." This is incorrect because wiping from the inner to the outer canthus is recommended to prevent contamination of the clean parts of the eye.
d) "Apply the ointment in a thin line into the conjunctival sac." This is the correct method for applying the ointment, ensuring that the medication reaches the affected area.

a) "Open-angle glaucoma is the kind that develops slowly." This statement is accurate, as open-angle glaucoma progresses gradually without noticeable symptoms, leading to irreversible damage over time.
b) "Closed-angle glaucoma is the one that suddenly develops." Closed-angle glaucoma is typically acute and presents suddenly with symptoms like severe eye pain, nausea, and vomiting.
c) "Glaucoma can be cured by taking eye drops for 2 weeks." Glaucoma is a chronic condition that cannot be cured by eye drops, and long-term management with medication or surgical intervention is required to control intraocular pressure.
d) "Glaucoma is an eye disorder that develops because the pressure inside your eyeball is too high." Glaucoma is primarily caused by increased intraocular pressure, which can damage the optic nerve.