Cataracts Flashcards
What are they?
opacification of the lens
What are the causes?
MAINLY: part of normal ageing process Others: Smoking, increased alcohol Hx of trauma DM Long term steroids Fix
How can ppl w cataracts preesent?
reduced vision
faded colour vision
glare - lights brighter than usual
halos around lights
What are signs of cataracts?
defect in red reflex when ophthalmoscope light is shone on retina
cataracts prevent lights from getting to the retina
What investigations would u do? what would u find?
- Ophthalmoscopy after pupil dilation - normal fundus + optic nerve
- Intra-ocular pressure - normal
- Slit lamp examination of the anterior chamber - visible cataract
How are cataracts classified?
By lens appearance
Nuclear - change lens refractive index, common in old age
Polar - localised commonly inherited, lie in visual axis
Subcapsular - due to steroid use, in the visual axis
Dot opacities - common in normal lens, also seen in DM and myotonic dystrophy
What is the non-surgical management of cataracts?
early stages - age related canoe managed conservatively w stronger glasses/contact lenses
do not slow down progression so surgery will eventually be needed
When should surgical treatment be offered?
Troubling sx
Lifestyle restricted
Unable to read a number plate at 67ft
What does surgical rx involve?
removing the cloudy lens and replacing w an artificial one
What are post operative complications?
- Posterior capsule opacification: thickening of the lens capsule
- Retinal detachment
- posterior capsule rupture
Endophthalmitis - inflammation of aqueous and/or vitreous humour
What are the 4 major causes of blindness in the world?
Cataracts
Vit A deficiency
Trachoma
Onchocerciasis
What are causes of congenital cataracts?
Down syndrome
TORCH
