The nurse is developing a teaching plan for a client with glaucoma. Which instruction should the nurse include in the plan of care?

Choice A rationale There is no clinical evidence suggesting that "overuse" of the eyes, such as reading or watching television, exacerbates the progression of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve often associated with elevated intraocular pressure, not muscular fatigue or visual strain. Patients should be encouraged to maintain their normal activities as much as their vision allows. Telling a patient to avoid eye use is unnecessary and can negatively impact their quality of life without providing any therapeutic benefit. Choice B rationale While a healthy diet is generally recommended for overall cardiovascular health, there is no direct scientific correlation between dietary salt intake and the management of intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Restricting salt will not lower the pressure within the eye or prevent optic nerve damage. Management focuses strictly on the dynamics of aqueous humor production and outflow. Dietary modifications for glaucoma patients are usually not a primary component of the treatment plan unless the patient has comorbid systemic hypertension. Choice C rationale Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive condition that currently has no cure. The primary goal of treatment is to lower intraocular pressure to a level that prevents further damage to the optic nerve. This almost always requires the lifelong, consistent administration of topical medications, such as prostaglandin analogs or beta-blockers. Stopping the medication will result in a return of elevated pressure and subsequent vision loss. Education must emphasize that these drops are necessary even when the patient feels no symptoms. Choice D rationale Restricting overall fluid intake is not an effective or recommended method for controlling intraocular pressure in glaucoma. While consuming a very large volume of fluid in a very short period might cause a transient spike in pressure, general fluid restriction does not address the underlying pathology of impaired aqueous outflow. Proper hydration is essential for systemic health. Instead of restricting fluids, the focus must remain on pharmacological interventions that facilitate the drainage of fluid through the trabecular meshwork or uveoscleral pathways.