Eye Flashcards
What is the typical presentation of acute angle closure glaucoma?
Severely painful red eye
Blurred vision
Halos around lights
Associated headache, nausea and vomiting
After organising a same day ophthalmology referral for someone with acute angle closure glaucoma, what medications may you administer to help in the meantime?
Give pilocarpine (a muscarinic agonist) eye drops (2% for blue, 4% for brown eyes) Give acetazolamide 500 mg orally
(lie patient on their back without a pillow to help reduce pressure)
What is the definitive treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma?
Laser iridotomy - makes a hole in the iris to allow the aqueous humour to flow from the posterior chamber into the anterior chamber. The relieves pressure that was pushing the iris against the cornea and allows the humour the drain.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Opacification of lens
Very slow reduction in vision (painless)
Progressive blurring of vision
Change of colour of vision with colours becoming more brown or yellow
“Starbursts” can appear around lights, particularly at night time
What type of stain should be used to aid diagnosis of a corneal abrasion?
A fluorescein stain - yellow-orange colour. The stain collects in abrasions or ulcers, highlighting them.
What organism are contact lens wearers at increased risk of in corneal abrasions?
Pseudomonas
Is conjunctivitis painful or painless?
Shouldn’t have any pain but there may well be an itchy or gritty sensation.
Other Sx: Red eyes, bloodshot, discharge from the eye
How does the discharge differ between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis?
Bacterial: purulent
Viral: normally clear
What is the gold standard for diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy?
Dilated retinal photography
What changes to the retina may be seen on fundoscopy in diabetic retinopathy?
Microaneurysms Dot and blot/flame haemorrhages Hard exudates Cotton-wool spots Venous beading Neovascularisation
What changes to the retina may be seen on fundoscopy in hypertensive retinopathy?
Silver-copper wiring AV nipping Cotton-wool spots Hard exudates Flame and dot & blot haemorrhages Papilloedema
What are the stages of hypertensive retinopathy?
Stage 1: Mild narrowing of the arterioles
Stage 2: Focal constriction of blood vessels and AV nicking
Stage 3: Cotton-wool patches, exudates and haemorrhages
Stage 4: Papilloedema
What type of conditions is acute anterior uveitis related to?
HLA-B27 related conditions i.e.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Reactive arthritis
