Disorders of the Eyes Flashcards
What is conjunctivitis?
also known as pink eye, it is inflammation of the conjunctiva
What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?
itching, burning, and crusting of the eyelashes
What are the three types of conjunctivitis?
viral, bacterial, and allergic
What is viral conjunctivitis caused by how is it treated?
caused by a virus such as adenovirus or herpes simplex, no official treatment needed and can clear up on its own within 7 to 14 days
What causes bacterial conjunctivitis and how is it treated?
caused by the spread of bacteria, usually staph and strep. can be treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment
What causes allergic conjunctivitis and how is it treated?
caused by an allergen such as pollon or animal dander, can be treated with allergy medications and antihistamine eye drops
What are cataracts and how do they form?
they are a cloudy area in the eye’s lens, they usually occur when normal protens in the lens of the eye break down, causing the lens to become cloudy
What are symptoms of cataracts?
blurry or double vision, glare, and poor night vision
How are cataracts treated?
during the beginning stages, patients seem to be helped by a new eyeglass prescription, brighter lights, antiglare sunglasses or magnifying glass. Once the cataract progresses, surgical removal is the only option
What is glaucoma and how does it form?
it is a chronic eye disease that is the leading cause of blindness, it occurs when aqueous humor in the front of the eye doesn’t drain out of the eye properly, causing fluid buildup which increases eye pressure and damages the optic nerve
How is glaucoma treated?
damage from glaucoma cannot be undone but the disease can be managed with a combination of eye drops and possible in-office laser procedures
