Assisting with Eye and Ear Care Flashcards
What is ophthalmology focused on?
anatomy, function, diseases of the eye
What is snellen chart for?
visual acuity (distance)
What is jaeger chart for?
visual acuity (near)
what is ishihara test for?
color vision
What is blepharitis?
chronic inflammation of the eyelid edges
What is ptosis?
droopy upper eyelid
What is conjunctivitis?
pink eye
What is a stye?
infection at the eyelash border
- apply most warm compresses
- don’t pop
What are cataracts?
cloudy or opaque lens
What is glaucoma?
increases fluid pressure
What is glaucoma diagnosed by?
tonometer
What is retinal detachment?
floaters and light flashes
What is diabetic retinopathy?
damage to blood vessels supplying the retina
What is macular degeneration?
dark spot in the center of the field of vision, peripheral vision, remains intact
What is strabismus?
misaligned eyes
- children: unbalanced muscles
- adults: problems with nerves/muscles
What is amblyopia?
lazy eye
- misaligned eye becomes lazy
How is lazy eye fixed?
patch is placed over working eye to force child to use lazy eye
What is myopia?
nearsightedness
- patient can’t see far
What is hyperopia?
farsightedness
- patient can’t see up close
What is presbyopia?
age-related vision loss
What is astigmatism?
uneven cornea causing blurry vision
What is ophthalmoscope for?
allows physician to see inside the eye
What is tonometer for?
used to measure the pressure inside the eyes
What is refraction exam for?
verify the need for corrective lenses
Why do we administer medications to the eye?
- reduce pressure in the eyes
- relieve eye pain
- treat eye infections and inflammation
Why should we avoid touching the dropper to the eye?
- may cause injury
- may cause infection
- may contaminate medication
What should MAs teach patients?
- medication’s use
- check medication labels carefully before administering them at home
What is cerumen impaction?
earwax buildup
- use ear drops to soften wax
- irrigation to remove it
What is otitis externa?
- swimmer’s ear
- medicated drops prescribed
What is pruritus?
itching
What is otitis media?
middle ear infection
- requires oral medication
What is otosclerosis?
hardening of the bones of the middle ear resulting in hearing loss
What is labyrinthitis?
infection of the inner ear resulting in vertigo
- dizziness
What is Meniere’s disease?
- leads to dizzy spells (vertigo) and hearing loss
- affects only one ear
- starts between young and middle-aged adulthood
What is ruptured eardrum?
hole or tea in the tympanic membrane
- hearing loss
What is tinnitus?
ringing in the ears
What is presbycusis?
age-related hearing loss
How do you work with patients with a hearing impairment?
- speak at a reasonable volume
- speak clearly, in low-pitched tones
- stand facing the patient
- do not overemphasize lip movements
- avoid hand gestures
- restate message in short, simple sentences
- patience and respect
What is audiometer used for?
measure hearing acuity by testing different frequencies
What is tympanometry for?
gauges pressure in the middle ear
- assess fluid trapped in the middle ear
What is a tuning fork for?
assess frequency (hearing)
How can a MA help with ear treatments?
- patient education
- administer ear medications
- perform ear irrigations
- assist with earwax removal
- referral to audiometrist for hearing aids
How should you position the patient’s ear for irrigation on an adult?
pull the pinna upwards and outward towards the back
