Ear & Eye Conditions Flashcards
1
Q
Eye Anatomy Overview: Sclera, Cornea, and Conjunctiva
A
- Sclera - White outer layer of the eye.
- Cornea - Clear outer layer of the eye covering the iris and pupil.
- Conjunctiva - mucous membrane that lines the inner surfaces of the eyelids and folds back to cover the front surface of the eyeball, except for the cornea (protection)
2
Q
Eye Anatomy Overview: Iris and Pupil
A
- Iris - Colored contractile membrane between the lens and the cornea, separates the anterior and posterior chambers.
- Pupil - Opening at the center of the iris.
3
Q
Eye Anatomy Overview: Anterior Chamber, Posterior Chamber, Vitreous Chamber
A
- Anterior Chamber - Compartment between the cornea and iris.
- Posterior Chamber - Compartment between the iris and lens.
- Vitreous Compartment - Large compartment behind the posterior compartment, contains vitreous humor.
4
Q
Eye Anatomy Overview: Retina, Lens, and Optic Nerve
A
- Retina
~ Innermost covering of the vitreous
compartment.
~ Contains sensors for light. - Lens - Found behind the iris, focuses images on the retina.
- Optic Nerve - Transmits sensory visual
information to the brain.
5
Q
Glaucoma
A
- Condition that can damage the eye’s optic nerve and result in vision loss and blindness.
- Aqueous Humor
~ Fills the eye chambers.
~ Produced in the posterior chamber.
~ Aqueous humor flows continuously in
and out of the anterior chamber to
nourishes lens and cornea and
maintain eye shape
~ Humor leaves the anterior chamber
at the open angle where the cornea
and iris meet.
~ When the fluid reaches the angle, it
flows through a spongy meshwork,
like a drain, and leaves the eye via the
venous system.
6
Q
Glaucoma: Cause
A
- When humor reaches the angle it passes too slowly through the meshwork drain and the humor builds-up.
- Open Angle - Abnormalities in the meshwork
- Closed Angle - Angle is obstructed by the iris
- As the fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye rises to a level that may damage the optic nerve
7
Q
Glaucoma: S&S
A
- At first no symptoms
~ It causes no pain
~ Vision stays the same - Lose their peripheral vision
- Condition can be painful in later stages
8
Q
Glaucoma: Management
A
- Medicines - Cause the eye to make less humor or lower pressure by helping fluid drain from the eye
- Laser Surgery - Evenly spaced burns that expand the drainage holes in the meshwork.
- Conventional Surgery - Small piece of tissue is removed to create a new channel for the fluid to drain from the eye
9
Q
Corneal Abrasion: Cause & Diagnosis
A
- Cause
~ Trauma
~ Removal of foreign object
> Pt thinks there’s something in eye
so they try to dig it out causing
abrasion - Diagnosis
~ Fluorescein dye introduced eye
~ Dye stains the abrasion a bright green
10
Q
Corneal Abrasion: S&S and Management
A
- S&S
~ Severe pain
~ Watering of the eye
~ Photophobia (light sensitivity) - Management
~ Patching/Contact Lens
> “Bandaid” : protects abrasion from
rubbing against the eyelid
~ Topical NSAIDs
~ Topical antibiotics
11
Q
Globe Rupture/Laceration: Cause
A
- Penetration of sharp objects
- Direct blow
- Results in the complete tear of sclera or cornea
12
Q
Globe Rupture/Laceration: S&S and Management
A
- S&S
~ Severe Pain
~ Impaired Vision
~ Irregular/Displaced Pupil
~ Orbital Leakage - Management
~ Activate EMS
~ Cover eye without pressure
> Round/cupped covering that won’t
press eye
~ Position supine or upright
13
Q
Hyphema: Cause and Major Complications
A
- Collection of blood in the anterior chamber
- Cause
~ Direct, contusive forces cause
mechanical tearing of the fragile blood
vessels of the iris. - Major Complications
~ Glaucoma
> Increased pressure
> Blood clogs draining system
~ Blood staining of the cornea
14
Q
Hyphema: S&S and Management
A
- S&S
~ Reddish tinge in the anterior chamber
changing to blood settling inferiorly.
~ Partial or total vision block.
~ Painful - Management
~ Immediate Referral
~ Bed rest with head and shoulders
elevated
~ Medication to reduce pressure in the
anterior chamber.
~ Should resolve ≤ 5 Days
15
Q
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage: Cause and S&S
A
- Cause
~ Direct, contusive forces cause
mechanical tearing of the blood
vessels under the conjunctiva. - S&S
~ Red, bloody patch on the white of the
eye
~ Painless
~ No change in vision