Common Eye Pathologies

Question 1

Refractive Errors

Answer 1

The most common cause of impaired vision.

• Hyperopia: Farsightedness. Close objects appear blurry & occurs when the eye
• Myopia: Nearsightedness. Myopia causes far objects to appear blurry.
• Astigmatism: Variation of blurry or clear vision for close-up or distant objects based on the underlying pathology.

Question 2

Presbyopia

Answer 2

An age-related condition.
Gradual worsening ability to ‘focus’ on nearby objects.

Question 3

Cataracts

Answer 3

“Cloudiness” of the lenses, resulting in glaring of light & a decrease in vision, particularly at night.

Question 4

Glaucoma

Answer 4

Progressive peripheral vision loss.

Question 5

Age-related Macular Degeneration

Answer 5

Causes distortion & progessive loss of central vision known as Scatomas or blind spots.

Question 6

Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 6

Dark spots in vision

Question 7

Superior Optic Radiation defects on one side present as…

Answer 7

Causes contralateral superior quadrant deficits.
E.g., if pt has contralateral superior quadrantanopia, one inferior quadrant of vision for both eyes is lost.

Question 8

Monocular vision loss

Answer 8

One eye down

Question 9

Bitemporal Hemianopia

Answer 9

Temporal visual field on both eyes down.

Question 10

Contralateral homonymous hemianopia

Answer 10

Same visual field on both eyes down. E.g., right half of vision for both eyes is down.

Question 11

Monocular scatoma

Answer 11

A spot on ONE eye is out

Question 12

Retinal detachment

Answer 12

Floaters, or flashes of light.

Question 13

Cranial Nerve Palsies

Answer 13

Damage to CN 3 = Eye drifts “Down & Out”

CN 4 Damage = Eye drifts “Up & Lateral”

CN 6 = Medially displaced

Question 14

Saccades

Answer 14

When rapidly moving eye gaze from one object to another, eyes over/undershoot.

Question 15

Smooth pursuits deficits

Answer 15

Difficulty following a steadily moving object. Makes reading difficult.