Diseases Conditions And Procedures (Eyes & Ears) Flashcards
Astigmatism
Refractive disorder in which excessive curvature of the cornea or lens causes light to be scattered over the retina, rather than focused on a single point, resulting in a distorted image.
[-a-=without, not; stigmat=point, mark; -ism=condition]
Cataract
Degenerative disease that is due mainly to the aging process in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively cloudy, causing decreased vision, and that is treated with cataract surgery (phacoemulsification)
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva that can be caused by bacteria, allergy, irritation, or a foreign body; aka “pinkeye”
[conjunctiv= conjunctiva; -itis=inflammation]
Diabetic reinopathy
Retinal damage in diabetic patients marked by aneurysm all dilation and bleeding of blood vessels or the formation of new blood vessels causing visual changes
[retin/o= retina; -pathy=disease]
Hordeolum
Small, purulent, inflammatory infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; aka “sty”
Macular degeneration
Deterioration of the macula, resulting in loss of central vision; most common cause of visual impairment in persons older than 50
Photophobia
Unusual interoperable and sensitivity to light that occurs in disorders such as meningitis, eye inflammation, measles, and rubella
[phot/o= light; -phobia = fear]
Retinal detachment
Separation of the retina from the choroid, which disrupts vision and results in blindness if not repaired
[retin=retina; -al=pertaining to]
Strabismus
Muscular eye disorder in which the eyes turn from the normal position so that they deviate in different directions
Esotropia
Strabismus in which there is deviation of the visual axis of one eye toward that of the other eye, resulting in diplopia; aka “cross-eye” or “convergent strabismus”
[eso-=inward; -tropia=turning]
Exotropia
Strabismus in which there is deviation of the visual axis of one eye away from that of the other, resulting in diplopia; aka “wall-eye” or “divergent strabismus”
Hearing loss
Loss of sense or perception of sound
Anacusis
Total deafness (complete hearing loss) [an-=without, not; -acusis= hearing]
Conductive hearing
Results from any condition that prevents sound waves from being transmitted to the auditory receptors
Presbycusis
Hearing loss that gradually occurs in most individuals as the grow older
[presby= old age; cusis= hearing]
Sensorineural
Inability of nerve stimuli to be delivered to the brain from the inner ear as a result of damage to the auditory (acoustic) nerve or cochlea; aka “nerve deafness”
Menière disease
Rare disorder characterized by progressive deafness, vertigo, and tinnitus, possibly secondary to swelling of membranous structures within the labyrinth
Otitis media (OM)
Inflammation of the middle ear, which is commonly the result of an upper respiratory infection (URI) and may be treated with tympanostomy tube insertion
[ot=ear; -itis=inflammation; med=middle; -ia=condition]
Otosclerosis
Progressive deafness secondary to ossification in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear
[ot/o= ear; scler=sclera (white of eye); -osis=abnormal condition]
Tinnitus
Ringing or tinkling noise heard constantly or intermittently in one or both ears, even in a quiet environment, that usually results from damage to inner ear structures associated with hearing
Vertigo
Sensation of moving around in space or a feeling of spinning or dizziness that usually results from inner ear structure damage associated with balance and equilibrium
Tonometry
Test to measure the pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure); used to screen for glaucoma
[ton/o=tension; -metry= act of measuring]
Visual acuity test
Standard eye examination to determine the smallest letters a person can read on a Snellen chart, or E-Chart, at a distance of 20 feet
Audiometry
Test that measures hearing acuity at various sound frequencies
[audi/o=hearing; -metry= act of measuring]
Otoscope
Visual examination of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane using an otoscope
[ot/o=ear; -scopy=visual examination]
Tuning fork test
Hearing test that use a tuning fork (instrument that produces a constant pitch when struck) that is struck and then placed against or near the bones on the side of the head to assess nerve and bone conduction of sound
Rinne
Evaluates bone conduction of sound in one ear at a time
Weber
Evaluates bone conduction of sound in both ears at the same time
Cataract surgery
Excision of a lens affected by a cataract
Phacoemulsification
Excision of the lens by ultrasonic vibrations that break the lens into tiny particles, which are suctioned out of the eye; aka “small incision I cataract surgery (SICS)”
Iridectomy
Excision of a portion of the iris used to relieve intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
[irid=iris; -ectomy= excision, removal]
Laser iridotomy
Laser surgery that creates an opening on the rim of the iris to allow aqueous humor to flow between the anterior and posterior chambers to relieve intraocular pressure that occurs as a result of glaucoma; is replacing iridectomy because it is a safer procedure
[irid/o=iris; -tomy=incision]
Laser photocoagulation
Use of a laser beam to seal leaking or hemorrhagic get retinal blood vessels to react diabetic retinopathy
Cochlear implant
Electronic transmitter surgically implanted into the cochlea of a deaf person to restore hearing
[cochle=cochlea; -ar=pertaining to]
Ear irrigation
Process of flushing the external ear canal with sterile water or sterile saline solution to treat blockages of a foreign body or cerulean (ear wax) impaction
Myringoplasty
Surgical repair of a perforated eardrum with a tissue graft to correct hearing loss; “aka tympanoplasty”
[myring/o=tympanic membrane (eardrum); -plasty=surgical repair]
Myringotomy
Incision of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to relieve pressure and drain fluid form the middle ear or to insert tympanostomy tubes in the eardrum via surgery
[myring/o=tympanic membrane (eardrum); -tomy=incision]
Achromatopsia
Congenital deficiency in color perception that is more common in men; aka “color blindness”
[a-=without, not; chromat=color; -opsia=vision]
Glaucoma
Condition in which the aqueous humor fails to drain properly and accumulates in the anterior chamber of the eye, causing intraocular pressure (IOP). Increased IOP leads to degeneration and atrophy of the retina and optic nerve. 2 forms: open-angle and closed-angle. Eventually leads to vision loss and commonly, blindness. Treatment=eye drops (Miotics) that cause the pupil toe constrict permitting aqueous humor to escape from the eye, relieving pressure. If ineffective, surgery may be necessary.
- Open-angle: most common form, degenerative changes that cause congestion and reduce flow of aqueous humor through the canal of Schlemm. Painless but destroys peripheral vision, causing tunnel vision.
- Closed-angle: medical emergency, caused by an anatomically narrow angle between the iris and the cornea which prevents outflow of aqueous humor form the eye Intel the lymphatic system causing a sudden increase in IOP. Symptoms=severe pain, blurred vision, and photophobia.
Tympanostomy Tube Insertion
Aka “ear tubes” or “pressure-equalizing (PE) tubes. Plastic cylinders surgically inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid and equalize pressure between the middle and outer ear. PE most commonly used in children who have recurrent ear infections that do not respond to antibiotics, or when fluid remains behind the eardrum. Outpatient surgery performed by an otolaryngologist while child is under general anesthesia. A small opening is made in the eardrum (tympanostomy or myringotomy) followed by insertion. Tube decreases the feeling the pressure in the ears, reduces pain, and allows air to enter the middle ear and fluid to flow out of the middle ear and I tot he ear canal. Post surgical recovery is usually rapid with little pain or symptoms. Tubes normally remain in the ears for 6-12 months and commonly fall out on their own, or may require surgical removal.
