Eye Exam Flashcards
Describe hypermetropia/hyperopia
Focuses behind (posterior to) retina because eyeball is too short
Describe myopia
Focuses in front of (anterior to) retina because eyeball is too long
What can cause a light path to be obstructed?
Cataracts
What is the mechanism behind blind spots caused by things like a pituitary tumor?
There is a malfunction somewhere along the visual pathway (from the retina to occipital lobe)
What can spots in the eye be described as?
Retinal debris floating in vitreous humor
What can spots in the eye be caused by?
Retinopathy
What can flashing lights be described as?
Retinopathy, particularly pulling away of retina from choroid, as seen in retinal detachment
Describe double vision
Image focuses on a different area of retina on each eye
What causes ocular malalignment
Weak or abnormally attached extraocular muscles
What can cause a refractive (lens) abnormality?
Cataracts
What can cause double vision?
Ocular malalignment or refractive (lens) abnormalities
What is visual acuity testing a measurement of and what does it test?
Central vision, CN II (optic nerve)
How far away do you position the patient from the Snellen chart when doing visual acuity testing?
20 feet
You record the visual acuity designated by which line when doing this testing?
The smallest line in which the patient can identify all of the letters
How can you reduce the chance of recall influencing visual acuity testing when testing the second eye?
Asking the patient to read the line in the opposite direction
What is OD?
Visual acuity in the right eye
What is OS?
Visual acuity in the left eye
What is OU?
Visual acuity with both eyes open
How else should you measure near vision?
Testing each eye separating using a handheld card like the Rosenbaum Pocket Vision screener, held about 14 in from the eyes
How do you generally estimate peripheral vision?
Confrontation test, though it can be accurately measured with sophisticated instruments
What are some things that could produce confrontation abnormalities when testing peripheral vision?
Stroke, retinal detachment, optic neuropathy, pituitary tumor compression at the optic chiasm, and central retinal vascular occulsion
What is red testing particularly helpful in determining?
Subtle optic nerve disease, even when visual acuity remains nearly normal
What does an afferent pupillary defect often coexist with?
A red defect
How would you carry out an examination of the external structures of the eye?
Start with the appendages (like the eyebrows and surrounding tissues) and moving inward
A patient with hypothyroidism may have which features in regards to their eyebrows?
Coarse eyebrows that don’t extend beyond the temporal canthus
What may periorbital edema may be indicative of?
Thyroid eye disease, allergies, or (especially in youth), the presence of renal disease (nephrotic syndrome)
What is xanthelasma?
An elevated plaque of cholesterol deposited in macrophages, most commonly in the nasal portion of the upper or lower lid, observed as flat to slightly raised oval, irregularly shaped, yellow tinted lesions on the periorbital tissues
The presence of fasciculations or tremors of the eyelids when lightly closed may be a sign of what?
Hyperthyroidism
When would you say ptosis is present?
If one superior eyelid covers more of the iris than the other or extends over the pupil
Where is the average lower lid position?
At the lower limbus
Describe lagophthalmos and what it causes an increased risk of.
Lagophthalmos is when the closed lids do not completely cover the globe, so the cornea may become dried, increasing risk of infection.
What are some common causes of lagophthalmos?
Thyroid eye disease, seventh nerve palsy (Bell palsy), and overaggressive ptosis or blepharoplasty surgical repair
What is ectropion?
When the lower eyelid is turned away from the eye. It may result in excessive tearing.
What is entropion?
When the lower eyelid is turned inward toward the globe. The lid’s eyelashes may cause corneal and conjunctival irritation, increasing risk of a secondary infection
A hordeolum or stye is generally caused by what?
A staphylococcal infection
An internal hordeolum involves what?
Meibomian glands