Eye pathology

Question 1

Name a Pathology of the Conjuntiva?

Answer 1

Squamous cell carcinoma

Question 2

Name a pathology of the corneoscleral junction?

Answer 2

Glaucoma

Question 3

what is the commonest form of glaucoma?

Answer 3

Open/wide angle glaucoma.

90% of all glaucoma cases:

Is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure

Has a wide and open angle between the iris and cornea

Develops slowly and is a lifelong condition

Has symptoms and damage that are not noticed.

Question 4

What type of Glaucoma is associated post eye exam?

Answer 4

narrow angle glaucoma, a less common form of glaucoma:

Is caused by blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure

Has a closed or narrow angle between the iris and cornea

Develops very quickly

Has symptoms and damage that are usually very noticeable

Demands immediate medical attention.

Question 5

what are the risk factors in Glaucoma?

Answer 5

Age
Ethnicity
East Asian – Angle closure
Afro Caribbean – Open Angle
Myopia (short sightedness)
Family history
Diabetes mellitus

Question 6

Name 3 pathologies of the cornea?

Answer 6

Herpes simplex keratitis, Acanthamoeba infection and Fuchs dystrophy.

Question 7

What is an acanthamoeba infection?

Answer 7

Protozoa (a trophozoite)
Found in soil, fresh water
Can cause a keratitis if contact lens hygiene suboptimal

Question 8

What is Herpes simplex keratitis?

Answer 8

Corneal ulceration due to HSV (re-activation)
Dendritic ulcer
Causes blurred vision, pain

Question 9

What is Fuch’s dystrophy?

Answer 9

Fuch’s dystrophy
Autosomal dominant
Slowly progressing disease - glare and blurring
Corneal oedema and vision loss
Loss of endothelial cells
Thickened Descemet’s membrane
Can be triggered by cataract surgery

Question 10

Name a pathology of the uveal tract?

Answer 10

Malignant melanoma of the uveal tract.

Melanoma - Can metastasise many years after treatment.
Classic patient = glass eye and large liver

Question 11

Name a pathology of the retina?

Answer 11

Retinoblastoma.

can develope either:

Inherited, 1st year of life – bilateral tumours
or Sporadic, up to 5yrs old – unilateral tumour.

Question 12

Name a pathology of the lens?

Answer 12

Cataract.

Opacification of the lens due to denaturation of proteins in lens fibres
Loss of visual acuity and contrast

Caused by: uv light (and other radiation), trauma, diabetes,
hypertension, old age, drugs (e.g. steroids)

Question 13

Name 2 eye pathologies involving the Arterial supply to the eye?

Answer 13

Giant cell arteritis and Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Question 14

What is giant cell arteritis?

Answer 14

Inflammatory disease of large and medium sized arteries, usually of head and neck.
Elderly patient (F:M = 3:1)
Blurred vision or sudden blindness with Headaches/pain associated with the temple.
Tender, nodular, temporal artery

Question 15

What is papilloedema?

Answer 15

• Papilledema is optic disc swelling/oedema that is secondary to elevated intracranial pressure. can be caused by hypotension
• It is almost always bilateral → Vision is preserved
• develops over hours to weeks
• Enlargment of blind spot, bluuring of vision

Question 16

What is uveitis?

Answer 16

• Uveitis is inflammation of the uveal tract.
• The uveal tract is divided into the anterior and posterior components. Anterior tract → iris and ciliary body. Posterior tract includes choroid.
• Uveitis may also include other surrounding tissues such as sclera, retina, and optic nerve.
• Uveitis is often idiopathic but may be triggered by genetic, traumatic, immune, or infectious mechanisms.

Question 17

What is the most common cause of red eye?

Answer 17

• Conjunctivitis
• does not need specialist referal unless present > 2 weeks
• treat with cloramphenicol

Question 18

What is another term for anterior uveitis?

Answer 18

Iritis