Cataracts Flashcards
What is it?
a common eye condition where the lens of the eye gradually opacifies i.e. becomes cloudy. This cloudiness makes it more difficult for light to reach the back of the eye (retina), thus causing reduced/blurred vision. Cataracts are the leading cause of curable blindness worldwide.
epidemiology
when
age > 65
main cause
age
other causes
Smoking
Increased alcohol consumption
Trauma
Diabetes mellitus
Long-term corticosteroids
Radiation exposure
Myotonic dystrophy
Metabolic disorders: hypocalcaemia
symptoms
reduced vision
faded colour vision
glare
halos
signs
defect in red reflex
Ix
ophthalmoscopy
slit lamp examination
classification
nuclear
polar
sub capsular
dot opacities
what is nuclear contract?
change lens refractive index, common in old age
what is polar cataract?
localized, commonly inherited, lie in the visual axis
what is subcapsular cataract?
due to steroid use, just deep to the lens capsule, in the visual axis
what are dot opacities
common in normal lenses, also seen in diabetes and myotonic dystrophy
Non-surgical mx
prescribing stronger glasses/contact lens, or by encouraging the use of brighter lighting
Surgical Mx
removing lens
surgical complications
Posterior capsule opacification: thickening of the lens capsule
Retinal detachment
Posterior capsule rupture
Endophthalmitis: inflammation of aqueous and/or vitreous humour
