Copy of Sensorineural Function - Disorders of Eyes Flashcards
What is Dry Eye?
Dysfunction of meibomian glands, inflammatory changes to tear proteins, discomfort and pain with possible vision changes.
Symptoms include vision changes, itching, burning, and a scratching sensation proportional to increased computer screen time.
What are the effects of aging on Eyelids and Lacrimal structures?
Loss of skin elasticity, decreased muscle tone, wrinkles, and potential entropion or ectropion.
Entropion causes lashes to irritate the cornea, while ectropion increases corneal exposure.
What is presbyopia?
Loss of accommodative power in the lens with age, requiring reading materials to be held at increasing distances.
Patients may need increased light and reading glasses or bifocals.
What are cataracts?
Opacities in the normally crystalline lens that interfere with the focus of a sharp image on the retina.
Symptoms include increased glare, decreased vision, and changes in color perception.
What happens during posterior vitreous detachment?
Liquefaction and shrinkage of the vitreous body, which may lead to retinal tears and detachment.
Patients report light flashes, cobwebs, and floaters.
What is Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
Characterized by drusen in the macula, affecting central vision, with gradual onset in dry AMD and rapid onset in wet AMD.
Patients may notice missing letters, faded areas, and wavy straight lines.
Drusen are small, yellow or white deposits that form under the retina.
Define Low Vision.
Vision difficulties even with corrective lenses, defined as less than 20/40 vision with the best correction possible.
Patients may experience progressive vision loss and difficulty seeing at night.
What is the purpose of the Snellen chart?
To test distance vision using a series of progressively smaller rows of letters.
It is part of the visual acuity assessment.
What is the significance of an Amsler Grid?
Used for patients with macular problems to assess vision changes in the central visual field.
Patients view the grid with normal reading glasses, assessing each eye separately.
What is glaucoma often referred to as?
The ‘silent thief of sight’ due to lack of symptoms until visual changes occur.
Most patients are unaware they have the disease until significant damage has occurred.
List some risk factors for glaucoma.
- Family history of glaucoma
- Race (African, Caribbean, Hispanic)
- Older age (>60)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Cardiovascular disease
- Migraine syndromes
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
- Eye trauma
- Prolonged use of corticosteroids
These factors increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.
What are the main types of cataracts?
- Nuclear cataracts
- Cortical cataracts
- Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Each type has different characteristics and causes of vision impairment.
What is the primary treatment for glaucoma?
Prevention of damage to the optic nerve through lifelong therapy, including medications, laser procedures, and surgery.
Glaucoma cannot be cured, only managed.
What is the goal of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in AMD management?
To close abnormal vessels while minimizing damage to the retina.
PDT involves using a photosensitive dye and a diode laser post-infusion.
What is retinal detachment?
Separation of the retinal pigment epithelium from the sensory layer, with rhegmatogenous being the most common form.
Patients may report symptoms like a shade coming across their vision, cobwebs, or flashing lights.
What are the surgical interventions for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?
- Scleral buckle
- Pars plana vitrectomy
- Pneumatic retinopexy
These procedures aim to reattach the sensory retina to the retinal pigment epithelium.
What is the primary nursing management for patients with cataracts?
Provide preoperative care and educate patients on self-care and postoperative expectations.
This includes teaching about medication administration and monitoring for complications.
What are the clinical manifestations of cataracts?
- Painless blurry vision
- Sensitivity to glare
- Reduced contrast sensitivity
- Light scattering
- Myopic shift
- Color shift
Patients may feel their surroundings are dimmer.
What is the purpose of using a diode laser in the treatment of abnormal networks of vessels?
The dye within the vessels takes up the energy of the diode laser, avoiding damage to the surrounding retina.
What is the primary focus of nursing management for patients with ocular conditions?
Education
What are common tools that can benefit patients with low vision?
- Bright lighting
- Magnification devices
- Referral to a low-vision center
What is the relationship between orbital trauma and head injury?
Orbital trauma is usually associated with a head injury, requiring stabilization of the patient’s general medical condition before ocular examination.
What are signs and symptoms of soft tissue injury from blunt or penetrating trauma?
- Tenderness
- Ecchymosis
- Lid swelling
- Proptosis
- Hemorrhage
How are orbital fractures classified?
- Blowout fractures
- Zygomatic or tripod fractures
- Maxillary fractures
- Mid-facial fractures
- Orbital apex fractures
- Orbital roof fractures
