Chapters Five and Six

Question 1

What are refractive errors?

Answer 1

the most common cause for diminished visual acuity

Question 2

Hyperopia (farsightedness)

Answer 2

light that enters the eye is focused behind the retina rather than on it causing the person to not be able to see up close.

Question 3

Myopia (nearsightedness)

Answer 3

light that enters the eye is focused in front of the retina rather than on it causing the person to not be able to see far away.

Question 4

Astigmatism

Answer 4

an irregular focusing of the light rays entering the eye because of the cornea not being spherical

Question 5

Presbyopia

Answer 5

the inability of the internal lens to focus on near objects due to the loss of elasticity of the lens

Question 6

What is conjunctivitis?

Answer 6

also called Pink Eye is the inflammation or infection of the outer membrane of the eyeball and the inner eyelid.

Question 7

What causes conjunctivitis?

Answer 7

contagious through skin to skin contact, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes

Question 8

What are the S&S of conjunctivitis?

Answer 8

redness, itching and tearing of the eyes. It can also lead to discharging and crusting around the eyes. Eyes may become painful, dry and swollen.

Question 9

How do you treat conjunctivitis?

Answer 9

steroid drops to calm inflammation. Antibiotics may be prescribed if the infection does not resolve itself. Cold/warm compresses and artificial tears may be beneficial.

Question 10

What are cataracts?

Answer 10

an opacification of the natural lens of the eye

Question 11

Who is at risk for cataracts?

Answer 11

Can be caused by the aging process, elderly people

Question 12

How do cataracts interfere with vision?

Answer 12

Cataracts interfere with vision by damaging the vision at night, yellowing or fading colors, loss of brightness of colors, or the need for a bright light to read

Question 13

A 61-year old man reports a sudden onset of blurred vision, head and eye pain, and nausea & vomiting. On questioning, he admits to seeing “halos” around lights and being extra sensitive to light. The physician examination confirms blurred vision and photosensitivity. IOP measures greater than 20 mmHg on the tonometer. What type of glaucoma will be the most likely diagnosed? Describe the reason for IOP measurement on the tonometer. What is the danger of goes untreated?

Answer 13

acute angle-closure glaucoma because it usually occurs in patients older than 60, it causes eye pain, headaches, and many patients see “halos” around lights. The elevation of pressure is higher than other forms of glaucoma. Without treatment, the patient will lose all vision.

Question 14

Compare the two types of glaucoma. Describe the reason for IOP measurement on the tonometer.

Answer 14

Open-angle glaucoma is the most commonly diagnosed. It is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure. It has a wide and open angle between the iris and cornea. Symptoms and damage may not be noticed.

Angle-closure glaucoma is caused by blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure. It has a closed or narrow angle between the iris and cornea. Symptoms are usually very noticeable and the onset of the disease happens quickly

Question 15

Which type of cataracts is most likely treatable?

Answer 15

Angle-closure glaucoma is the most treatable disease due to its noticeable signs and symptoms.

Question 16

What does IOP do?

Answer 16

measures intraocular pressure

Question 17

What is the danger if cataracts goes untreated?

Answer 17

If left untreated, glaucoma will cause complete loss of eyesight.

Question 18

What’s the major cause of blindness in the US?

Answer 18

cataracts

Question 19

What are the early symptoms of retinal detachment?

Answer 19

seeing new floaters and light flashes which then progresses into seeing a dark shadow the extends from the periphery inward

Question 20

What is retinal detachment and what causes it?

Answer 20

a separation of the retina from the choroid and is caused by age, injury, or family history

Question 21

How do you treat retinal detachment?

Answer 21

photocoagulation or surgery, must treat immediately before the macula, the central retina, has detached or else irreversible damage occurs

Question 22

What is macular degeneration?

Answer 22

A progressive deterioration or breakdown of the macula of the retina.

Question 23

Name the possible causes of macular degeneration.

Answer 23

Age, genetic factors, and prolonged exposure to bright light. Macular Degeneration is usually caused by degenerative changes in the pigment epithelium of the retina.

Question 24

What is wet form macular degeneration?

Answer 24

The presence of abnormal, fragile, and hemorrhage-prone blood vessels can develop behind the macula and convert the disease to its wet form.

Question 25

What is the prognosis of macular degeneration?

Answer 25

No cure is known and the success of treatment has been limited. The earlier the caught the better.

Question 26

What are the S&S of macular degeneration?

Answer 26

seeing straight lines as wavy

Question 27

Precisely define otitis media.

Answer 27

Inflammation of the normally air-filled middle ear with the accumulation of fluid behind the tympanic membrane (eardrum), occurring either unilaterally or bilaterally.

Question 28

How is otitis media classified?

Answer 28

as either serous (clear and sterile) or suppurative (painful and infected), depending on composition of the accumulation of fluid.