Cataracts Flashcards
1
Q
What is a cataract?
A
opacification of the lense
2
Q
What are the causes of cataracts?
A
- age e.g. nuclear sclerosis
- traumatic
- post inflammatory
- Metabolic e.g. galactosaemia
- congenital e.g in utero TORCH infections - toxoplasmosis, other rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex)
3
Q
What are the risk factors of cataracts?
A
- age
- sunlight
- smoking
- alcohol
- dehydration
- radiation
- corticosteroid use
- diabetes mellitus
4
Q
What are the symptoms of cataracts/
A
- gradual onset
- blurred or hazy vision
- glare
- haloes
- monocular diplopia
5
Q
What are the signs of cataracts?
A
- reduced visual acuity
- reduced red reflex
- poor view of fundus
6
Q
What are the differential diagnoses of cataracts/
A
- macular degeneration
- retinal disease
- presbyopia
7
Q
What is the treatment of cataracts?
A
- surgery (Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation under local anaesthetic)
