Age Related Eye Disease Flashcards
Cornea vs lens
Cornea has main focusing power
Lens allows for accommodation by changing shape
Presbyopia
Normal changes in aging that means the lens loses the ability to change shape
Loss of accommodation
Decreased ability to see near objects, but distance vision is unchanged
Treat with plus lenses
Cataracts
Any opacity or discoloration of the lens - usually reserved for opacities that affect visual acuity
Can be subcapsular, cortical, or nuclear location
Cataract symptoms and signs
Gradual onset of decreased vision Difficulties in dim or bright lgiht Halos and glare Monocular diplopia Decreased visual acuity Increase in myopia (better near vision) No RAPD
Posterior vitreal detachment
With aging there is liquefaction and collapse of the vitreous and it can detach from posterior structures
If it happens gradually and uniformly = mild sx
Strong forces = can lead to retinal tear or detachment
Signs and symptoms of posterior vitreal detachment
Floaters, flashers
Preserved vision
No pupillary findings
Glaucoma
Group of disorders
Hallmark of progressive optic neuropathy and loss of visual field
Loss of vision is permanent but often preventable
Damage to the optic nerve (cupping)
Central vision is often preserved until late in disease course (asymptomatic to start)
Open angle glaucoma
Insidious onset
Risk factors: increased age, family hx, african or latino, myopia, trauma, steroid use, thinner corneal thickness, Agincreased IOP
Painless, asymptomatic
+/- elevated intraocular pressure
Closed angle glaucoma
Sudden onset
Risk factors: age, hyperopia, asian descent, family hx, female gender
Sx: pain, nausea, decreased vision, halos, red and injected vonjunctiva, fixed mid dilated pupil
Very elevated IOP
Age related macular degeneration
Incurable, bilateral acquired degenerative disease of the macula
Leads to central vision disturbances
Dry (more common) or wet
