Cataracts

Question 1

What is a cataract

Answer 1

Is an opacification of the crystalline lens causing light to scatter within the eye

Question 2

What are the 3 types of cataract

Answer 2

Nuclear
Cortical
Congential

Question 3

Symptoms of a cataract

Answer 3

Glare in bright conditions 
Film over eye
Reduced VA 
Feels need to clean glasses
Changes in colour perception
Halos around lights

Question 4

Ocular causes of cataract

Answer 4

Ocular trauma
Uveitis
High myopia
Tropical medication ( steroid eyedrops)

Question 5

Systemic causes of cataract

Answer 5

Diabetes 
Metabolic disorders 
Systemic drugs 
X radiation 
Infection (congential rubella)

Question 6

Posterior subcapsular cataract

Answer 6

Lies immediately deep to the posterior part of the lens capsule and affects lens fibres that have been laid down most recently
May follow x radiation or blunt Injury

Question 7

Cataract surgery

Answer 7

Normally under local than general anaesthesia
Implant held in place within the capsular bag
Emulsification of the lens preferred method
Optical power of the lens implant is calculated prior to surgery by measuring the length of the eye abd curvature of the cornea

Question 8

Complications of cataract surgery

Answer 8

Vitreous loss- if posterior capsule torn- vitreous gel may prolapse forward to anterior chamber= risk of glaucoma, Risk of RD

Iris prolapse- iris may protrude through surgical incision prompt surgical repair

Endopthalmitis- serious but rare- painful red eye reduced VA white cells in anterior chamber- emergency sampling of A & V

Cystoid macula oedema- maulana becomes oedematous

Retinal detachment- risk increased if vitreous loss

Opacification of posterior capsule- vision blurred glare issues - YAG laser

Question 9

Name of cataract surgery

Answer 9

Phacoemulsification

Question 10

Cortical cataract

Answer 10

Due to break down of groups of fibres in the lens cortex
Because these fibres are radially arranged in a pattern that relates to depth and clock position= radial spoke like appearance
Either peripheral or extended more centrally
No effect on vision but those that encroach upon the visual axis will do

Question 11

Nuclear cataract

Answer 11

Nucleus Contains all fibres from birth deeper fibres of lens cortex
Lack organelles and proteins under go little or no turner over with age
Overtime suffer progressive oxidative damage