Cataracts Flashcards
What are cataracts?
Where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and opaque causing a reduced visual acuity.
What happens when the ciliary body contracts?
Reduces tension on the lens causing it to thicken.
What happens to the ciliary body when it relaxes?
Increases tension on the lens causing it to become thinner.
What are the risk factors for cataracts?
Older age
Smoking
Alcohol
Diabetes
Systemic steroid use
Hypermetropia - (long sightedness) or myopia with different types of cataracts
Hypocalcaemia
How do you screen for congenital cataracts?
Testing the red light reflex. This can indicate cataracts or rarely a retinoblastoma
How do cataracts clinically present?
Symptoms are usually asymmetrical
Slow reduction and blurring of vision
Change in colour vision (more brown/yellow)
STARBURSTS around lights
Loss of red reflex on fundoscopy, appearing grey or white
What is the management for cataracts?
No intervention is common
Cataract surgery - phacoemulsification
Can only be done one eye at a time
What is endophthalmitis?
A rare but serious complication of cataract surgery.
Inflammation of inner contents of the eye. Treated with intraocular antibiotics.
Serious complications can occur with endopthalmitis with loss of vision or the eye itself.
