Effect of Teaching Program on Post-operative Health Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Keratoplasty

Corneal blindness has presented a huge challenges public health problem all over the world,
particularly in developing countries. Thus, Keratoplasty (PK) is increasingly providing promising
results in visual improvement and preserving the structural integrity of the eye, its successful
outcome depends on various donors, host factors and surgical technique as well as preoperative
teaching that proven beneficial in decreasing postoperative complications and length of hospital stay
as well as positively influencing recovery. Patients who are well prepared with a detailed
preoperative instruction deal more effectively with their surgery and are better prepared to manage
their pain and engage in appropriate self-care activities.This study aimed to determine the effect of
teaching program on postoperative health outcomes for patients undergoing keratoplasty. A quasi-
experimental design was conducted a convenience sample of sixty patients undergoing
keratoplasty that were divided into two equal groups as study and control. Setting: The study was
conducted in the Ophthalmology department at the Alexandria Main University Hospital and
follow up was done in the Ophthalmology outpatient clinic .Two tools were used for data
collection: Tool I: Keratoplasty Patient’s Knowledge Structured Interview Schedule which
consisted of two parts: part I; socio-demographic and clinical data& part II; Keratoplasty Patient’s
Knowledge Questionnaire. Tool II: Patient's Health Outcomes sheet and it's divided into two parts,
part I; keratoplasty complications & part II; Self-Care Practices Questionnaire Structured Interview
Schedule. The results of the present study revealed a highly statistically significant difference
between control and study group regarding their knowledge and level self care practices immediate
post and post three months of program implementation. Conclusion: applying teaching program had
statistically significant improvement in knowledge, self -care practice ,visual function as well as
decrease postoperative complication for patients undergoing keratoplasty. Recommendation: In
service training program should be carried out for ophthalmic nurses about care given to patients
undergoing keratoplasty(pre & postoperative care)