Cataracts Flashcards
Cataracts
Where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and opaque.
Reduces visual acuity by reducing the light that enters the eye
Risk Factors
Increasing age
Smoking
Alcohol
Diabetes
Steroids
Hypocalcaemia
Congenital cataracts
Occur before birth and are screened for using the red reflex during the neonatal examination
Presentation of cataracts
Symptoms are usually asymmetrical as both eyes are affected separately.
It presents with:
- Very slow reduction in vision
- Progressive blurring of vision
- Change of colour vision with colours becoming more brown or yellow
- “Starbursts” can appear around lights, particularly at night time
Sign of cataracts
Loss of the red reflex
Grey lens
Management of cataracts
Manageable symptoms - no intervention necessary
Cataract surgery
Cataracts surgery
Involves drilling and breaking the lens into pieces, removing the pieces and then implanting an artificial lens into the eye.
Day case under local anaesthetic.
Complications of cataracts
Can prevent the detection of other pathology such as macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy
Poor visual acuity post cataract surgery
Other causes such as AMD or diabetic retinopathy
Endophthalmitis
Rare but serious complication of cataract surgery.
Inflammation of the inner contents of the eye, usually caused by infection.
Complications of endophthalmitis
Can lead to loss of vision and loss of the eye itself
Treatment of endophthalmitis
Intravitreal antibiotic injections
