Common Eye Disorders/Conditions Flashcards
Amblyopia
When the vision in one of the eyes is reduced because the eye and the brain aren’t working together properly. The eye itself may look normal - but it’s not being used normally because the brain is favoring the other eye.
Loss of vision in one or both eyes. Caused by refractive errors or strabismus usually responds well to treatment in children younger than age six or seven, with decline in success with age. Usually occlusion of the good eye and use of the amblyopic or “lazy eye” is the most common therapy
Blepharitis
Common chronic inflammation of the lid margin. Patients may experience having redness to the eye lid, and a thickening and irregulartity of usually the lid margin. Patients may complain about a sandy or itchy feeling in their eyes. Patients of all ages may experience blepharitis.
Cataract
As the crystalline lens gets harder with age, it also becomes discolored. A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally transparent lens of the eye. There are three primary types of age-related cataracts: nuclear sclerotic (most common), cortical and posterior subcapsular.
Chalazion
As the inflammation resolves in a hordeolum, it will sometimes leave a granuloma (small lump). This occurs most commonly when the hordeolum has been recurrent
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Also known as “pink eye.”
Can be caused by many things, such as infection from a bacteria, virus, or fungus.
Allergies also account for many cases.
Symptoms include redness, swelling, and discharge.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Due to poor blood circulation that occurs with diabetes mellitus, new blood vessel growth often develops in the retina. These vessels are relatively fragile and often leak or break. This can lead to scarring, hemorrhages, and retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness.
What Causes Flashes And What Should You Do?
Caused by mechanical stimulation of the nerves in the retina. Patients may observe some of these when they rub their eye with moderate pressure. Flashes that are seen without such stimulus, however, may indicate a condition inside the eye that causes tugging on the retina. Sometimes this force may cause the retina to tear or detach. Persons noticing flashes need to have their eyes dilated and the back of the eye examined to determine if this is a benign process or one that needs to be treated immediately.
Hordeolum
Occurs when pores in the eyelid become blocked and inflamed. This essentially is a “pimple” in the eyelid
Keratoconus
The cornea thins and bulges forward.
The image focused on the retina is irregular and thus vision is decreased, even with glasses.
Gas permeable contact lenses, however, may provide clear vision, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Many cases require a corneal transplant (keratoplasty) for clear vision to be achieved.
Nystagmus
A vision condition in which the eyes make repetitive, uncontrolled/ involuntary movements, often resulting in reduced vision.
These involuntary eye movements can occur from side to side, up and down, or in a circular pattern. As a result, both eyes are unable to hold steady on objects being viewed. May be accompanied by unusual head positions and head nodding in an attempt to compensate for the condition. Most individuals with nystagmus can reduce the severity of their uncontrolled eye movements and improve vision by positioning their eyes to look to one side. This is called the “null point.” To accomplish this they may need to adopt a specific head posture to make the best use of their vision. Nystagmus cannot be cured. Rarely, surgery is performed to alter the position of the muscles, which move the eyes. While it does not cure nystagmus, it may reduce the amount of head turn needed for best vision
Pinguecula
Thickening of the connective tissue on the sides of the cornea (3 and 9 o’clock). This condition is benign, but may give the patient a slightly yellowish cast to the sides of their eye, or a reddish appearance if the pinguecula becomes irritated. Dust, sunlight, wind, and dry air are among the items that may irritate a pinguecula.
Ptygerium
Type of abnormal growth of tissue on the conjunctiva. It is different from the pinguecula in its wedge- shape and ability to invade the cornea. Extreme exposure to wind, sunlight and sand are linked to this condition.
Retinal Detachment
The retina pulls away from the rest of the eyeball. Surgical intervention is necessary to reattach the retina and preserve vision. Without surgery, permanent vision loss will occur. Some vision loss will occur with surgery, but early intervention may reduce the amount
Subconjunctival hemorrhage
Broken blood vessel between sclera and conjunctiva. The condition is painless and is rarely of any consequence, except for cosmetics.
Small blood vessels between the sclera and conjunctiva occasionally rupture. This may occur spontaneously, or be brought about by such things as excessive coughing or sneezing. When the vessel breaks, the blood is trapped under the conjunctiva. This results in a “red eye,” which often looks very dramatic. As the hemorrhage resolves, the blood will change in color, as it does with a bruise.
Strabismus/ Heterotropia
Misalignment of eyes where the eyes don’t look in exactly the same direction at the same time.
Involves an imbalance in the positionig of the two eyes. It can cause the eyes to cross in or turn out. It’s cause by a lack of coordination between the eyes.
