Chapter 14: Special Senses: Eyes and Ears Pathology Terms Flashcards
amblyopia
disorder in which the brain disregards images from the weaker eye and relies on those from the stronger eye; sometimes called lazy eye
astigmatism
abnormal curvature of the cornea that distorts the visual image
blepharitis
noncontagious inflammation of the eyelash follicles and tiny oil glands along the margins of the eyelids
cataract
cloudiness of the lens due to protein deposits as a result of aging, disease, or trauma or as a side effect of tobacco use or certain medications
central scotoma
blind spot in the center of the visual field surrounded by an area of normal vision
chalazion
small benign cyst on the eyelid formed by the distension of a meibomian gland (sebaceous gland of the eye) with secretions
conjunctivitis
inflammation of hte conjunctiva; also called pinkeye
diabetic retinopathy
progressive damage to microscopic vessels and other structures of the retina in patients with long-standing diabetes mellitus, which may result in blindness
ectropion
condition in which the lower eyelid is turned outward and droops more with aging
entropion
condition in which the eyelid edges are turned inward and rub against the surface of the eye
glaucoma (acute)
type of glaucoma in which a sudden blockage of aqueous-humor outflow causes a rapid increase in intraocular pressure; can cause vision loss, also called closed-angle glaucoma
glaucoma (chronic)
type of glaucoma in which the aqueous humor drains too slowly, leading to increasing intraocular pressure; can cause vision loss; also called primary open-angle glaucoma
hordeolum
infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; also called a stye
hyperopia
vision defect in which parallel rays ofcus behind the retina as a result of flattening of the globe of the eye or of an error in refraction; commonly called farsightedness
hypertensive retinopathy
destructive retinal changes caused by hypertension
keratitis
inflammation of the cornea, usually associated with decreased visual acuity, which may, if untreated, result in blindness
legal blindness
loss in visual acuity that prevents a person from performing work requiring eyesight; defined as corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less or a visual field of 20 degrees or less in the better eye
macular degeneration
macular deterioration resulting in central vision loss, categorized as either atrophic (dry) or exudative (wet)
myopia
error of refraction in which light rays focus in front of the retina, enabling a person to see distinctly for only a short distance; commonly called nearsightedness
nystagmus
involuntary back-and-forth or cyclical movements of the eyes
ophthalmology
study of the structure, functions, and diseases of the eye
presbyopia
permanent loss of accommodation of the lens of the eye that occurs as people enter their 40s, causing a marked inability to maintain focus on near objects
retinal detachment
separation of the inner sensory layer of the retina from the outer pigment layer, caused by a break in the inner layer that permits vitreous fluid to leak under the retina and lift off its innermost layer; may cause blindness
strabismus
deviation or misalignment of eyes that may adversely affect depth perception; types include exotropia (eyes turned outward), esotropia (eyes turned inward), hypertropia (eyes turned upward), and hypotropia (eyes turned downward)
