Cataracts Flashcards
What is a cataract?
When the lens in an eye becomes cloudy and opaque due to abnormal changes in lens proteins (crystallins), this conditions reduces visual acuity by reducing the light entering the eye
How do most cataracts develop?
Over years in presence of risk factors
How/when do congenital cataracts occur?
Before birth and are screened for using RED reflex during neonatal exam
Risk factors for cataracts?
Increasing age Hypertension Smoking Alcohol Diabetes Steroids Hypocalcaemia
Presentation of cataracts?
Usually asymmetrical
- Very slow reduction in vision
- Progressive blurring of vision
- Change in colour vision with colours becoming more brown or yellow (loss of colour contrast)
- ‘Starbursts’ can appear around lights, espesh at night time
- Loss of red reflex (KEY SIGN)
- Opacity of lens
What is loss of the red reflex?
The lens can appear grey/white when testing the red reflex
Features of cataracts?
Generalised reduction in visual acuity with starbursts around lights
Features of glaucoma?
Peripheral loss of vision with halos around lights
Features of macular degeneration?
Central loss of vision with crooked or wavy appearance to straight lines
Management for chill symptoms of cataracts?
No intervention needed
Management for symptomatic cataracts?
Cataract surgery
-Drilling /breaking lens to pieces, implanting artificial lens
What can cataracts prevent?
Detection of macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy
What is endophthalmitis?
A rare but serious complication of cataract surgery
-It is inflammation of inner contents of the eye
Cause of endophthalmitis?
Infection
Treatment of endophthalmitis?
Intravitreal antibiotics injected directly into the eye
