Analyzing the quality of ophthalmic nursing research

The purpose of this project was to describe, classify, and analyze ophthalmic nursing research published between 1975 and 1996. Sixty-six quantitative research articles were reviewed. This mainly descriptive body of research covered such topics as assessment/screening, self-care, and risk factors. The research articles were generally rated as superior or average, with many of the average being at the low end of the scale. Twenty-eight percent of the research was not applicable to nursing practice, and 42% had low or no theoretical relevance to nursing. This review will help to establish a research agenda in the area of ophthalmic nursing.