Diseases Conditions And Procedures (Eyes & Ears)

Question 1

Astigmatism

Answer 1

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]

Question 2

Cataract

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

Conjunctivitis

Answer 3

Inflammation of the conjunctiva that can be caused by bacteria, allergy, irritation, or a foreign body; aka “pinkeye”
[conjunctiv= conjunctiva; -itis=inflammation]

Question 4

Diabetic reinopathy

Answer 4

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]

Question 5

Hordeolum

Answer 5

Small, purulent, inflammatory infection of a sebaceous gland of the eyelid; aka “sty”

Question 6

Macular degeneration

Answer 6

Deterioration of the macula, resulting in loss of central vision; most common cause of visual impairment in persons older than 50

Question 7

Photophobia

Answer 7

Unusual interoperable and sensitivity to light that occurs in disorders such as meningitis, eye inflammation, measles, and rubella
[phot/o= light; -phobia = fear]

Question 8

Retinal detachment

Answer 8

Separation of the retina from the choroid, which disrupts vision and results in blindness if not repaired
[retin=retina; -al=pertaining to]

Question 9

Strabismus

Answer 9

Muscular eye disorder in which the eyes turn from the normal position so that they deviate in different directions

Question 10

Esotropia

Answer 10

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]

Question 11

Exotropia

Answer 11

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”

Question 12

Hearing loss

Answer 12

Loss of sense or perception of sound

Question 13

Anacusis

Answer 13

Total deafness (complete hearing loss)
[an-=without, not; -acusis= hearing]

Question 14

Conductive hearing

Answer 14

Results from any condition that prevents sound waves from being transmitted to the auditory receptors

Question 15

Presbycusis

Answer 15

Hearing loss that gradually occurs in most individuals as the grow older
[presby= old age; cusis= hearing]

Question 16

Sensorineural

Answer 16

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”

Question 17

Menière disease

Answer 17

Rare disorder characterized by progressive deafness, vertigo, and tinnitus, possibly secondary to swelling of membranous structures within the labyrinth

Question 18

Otitis media (OM)

Answer 18

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]

Question 19

Otosclerosis

Answer 19

Progressive deafness secondary to ossification in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear
[ot/o= ear; scler=sclera (white of eye); -osis=abnormal condition]

Question 20

Tinnitus

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Vertigo

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Tonometry

Answer 22

Test to measure the pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure); used to screen for glaucoma
[ton/o=tension; -metry= act of measuring]

Question 23

Visual acuity test

Answer 23

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

Question 24

Audiometry

Answer 24

Test that measures hearing acuity at various sound frequencies
[audi/o=hearing; -metry= act of measuring]

Question 25

Otoscope

Answer 25

Visual examination of the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane using an otoscope
[ot/o=ear; -scopy=visual examination]

Question 26

Tuning fork test

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Rinne

Answer 27

Evaluates bone conduction of sound in one ear at a time

Question 28

Weber

Answer 28

Evaluates bone conduction of sound in both ears at the same time

Question 29

Cataract surgery

Answer 29

Excision of a lens affected by a cataract

Question 30

Phacoemulsification

Answer 30

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)”

Question 31

Iridectomy

Answer 31

Excision of a portion of the iris used to relieve intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma
[irid=iris; -ectomy= excision, removal]

Question 32

Laser iridotomy

Answer 32

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]

Question 33

Laser photocoagulation

Answer 33

Use of a laser beam to seal leaking or hemorrhagic get retinal blood vessels to react diabetic retinopathy

Question 34

Cochlear implant

Answer 34

Electronic transmitter surgically implanted into the cochlea of a deaf person to restore hearing
[cochle=cochlea; -ar=pertaining to]

Question 35

Ear irrigation

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Myringoplasty

Answer 36

Surgical repair of a perforated eardrum with a tissue graft to correct hearing loss; “aka tympanoplasty”
[myring/o=tympanic membrane (eardrum); -plasty=surgical repair]

Question 37

Myringotomy

Answer 37

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]

Question 38

Achromatopsia

Answer 38

Congenital deficiency in color perception that is more common in men; aka “color blindness”
[a-=without, not; chromat=color; -opsia=vision]

Question 39

Glaucoma

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

Tympanostomy Tube Insertion

Answer 40

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.