EYE PHYSIOLOGY Flashcards
Eye Function
The function of the eye is to transform light energy into nerve signals that can be transmitted to the cerebral cortex for interpretation.
Pupillary reflex tests
Automonic nervous sytems
Cranial nerve II AND III
Control of Pupil Diameter
Stimulation of the parasympathetic nerves EXCITES the pupillary sphincter muscle, thereby decreasing the pupillary aperture (miosis)
Sympathetic stimulation, conversely, dilates the pupil (mydriasis)
Light shine constricts pupils (pupillary light reflex)
Functions to allow adaptation with rapid changes of light
Direct response (pupil illuminated)
The direct response is impaired in lesions of the ipsilateral optic nerve, the pretectal area, the ipsilateral parasympathetics traveling in CN III, or the pupillary constrictor muscle of the iris.
Consensual response (contralateral pupil illuminated
The consensual response is impaired in lesions of the contralateral optic nerve, the pretectal area, the ipsilateral parasympathetics traveling in CN III, or the pupillary constrictor muscle.
Accommodation (response to looking at something moving toward the eye)
Accommodation is impaired in lesions of the ipsilateral optic nerve, the ipsilateral parasympathetics traveling in CN III, or the pupillary constrictor muscle, or in bilateral lesions of the pathways from the optic tracts to the visual cortex. Accommodation is spared in lesions of the pretectal area.
Afferent pupillary defect
In an afferent pupillary defect there is a decreased direct response caused by decreased visual function in one eye.
This can be demonstrated with the swinging flashlight test, in which the light is moved back and forth between the eyes every two to three seconds.
The afferent pupillary defect becomes obvious when the flashlight is moved from the normal to the affected eye, and the affected pupil dilates in response to light.
Under normal conditions, the pupil constricts in response to light. Brief oscillations of pupillary size called hippus occur normally in response to light which should not be confused with an afferent pupillary defect.
CNS disease and Pupillary Reflexes
Some toxins & CNS diseases can block the pupillary reflex… these include but are not limited to:
Alcoholism
Encephalitis
CNS syphilis
Extraocular Muscles:Binocular vision depends on three pairs of extraocular muscles
Medial and lateral recti Move the eye from side to side Superior and inferior recti Move the eye up and down Superior and inferior obliques Rotate the eye around its optical axis
Extraocular muscles are innervated by three pairs of cranial nerves
Occulomotor (CNIII)
Trochlear (CN IV)
Abducens (CN VI)
Oculomotor nerve (CN III)
Innervates the medical rectus Turns the eye medially Innervates the superior rectus Elevates the eye and rolls it upward Innervates the inferior rectus Depresses the eye and rolls it downward Innervates the inferior oblique Elevates the eye and turns it laterally
Trochlear nerve (CN IV)
Innervates the superior oblique and turns the eye downward and laterally
Abducens nerve (CN VI)
Innervates the lateral rectus and moves the eye laterally
Cross Eyes
These folks have superior Superior Oblique and Medial Rectus Control
Full visual function
It is necessary that the two eyes point toward the same fixation point and the two images become focused
Binocular fusion is controlled by ocular reflex mechanisms that adjust the orientation of each eye to produce a single image
Conjugate gaze
Refers to the use of both eyes to look steadily in one direction
Saccadic eye movements
Consists of small jumping movements that represent rapid shift in conjugate gaze orientation
Nystagmus
The sequence of SLOW ocular rotation
LENS
An avascular transparent biconvex body.
Posterior side is more convex than the anterior side.
Elastic capsule holds lens in place, allows lens to change shape.
Sympathetic Activation
Lens is flattened for distant vision. Sympatheticinput relaxes the ciliary muscle, tightening the ciliary zonule, and flattening the lens.
Parasympathetic Activation
Lens bulges for close vision. Parasympathetic
input contracts the ciliary muscle, loosening the
ciliary zonule, allowing the lens to bulge.
Refraction of Light
When light rays strike an interface that is perpendicular to the beam, rays do not deviate from course
When light rays strike an interface that is angulated, the rays bend
The amount the rays bend depend the difference between the refractive indices of the respective mediums
The greater the difference in refractive index, the more the ray will bend
Refractive Lens: Convex
Convex Lens:
At the center, the light ray will strike perpendicular and therefore will NOT diverge
The further from the center, the more the angulation… and therefore with a perfect convex lens all of the rays can be focused (convergence) on one spot (focal point)
Bending occurs both:
As the rays enter the lens
As the rays exit the lens
Refractive Lens: Concave
Concave Lens:
At the center, the light ray will strike perpendicular and therefore will NOT diverge
The further from the center, the more the angulation… and therefore the more the rays spread apart (divergence)
Bending occurs both:
As the rays enter the lens
As the rays exit the lens
Is focal Length the same thing as Focal Point?
No. Focal length is NOT the same thing as Focal point.The retina doesn’t move and therefore the lens must change in order to focus the image with change of distance
Accomodation of Lens
Accommodation is the process by which a clear image is maintained as gaze is shifted from afar to a near object.
Requires convergence of the eyes. Pupillary constriction and thickening of the lens through contraction of the ciliary muscle.
Parasympathetic portion of CNIII is in control.
Accommodation does not occur in the totally blind, during sleep or in the comatose person because visual function must be present to evaluate and adjust the clarity of the image.
Accomodation of Lens Cont
Accommodation
The focusing surface of the eye is the retina
It is at a fixed distance from the lens
Adjustability in the refractive power of the lens is needed to keep the image of close objects in focus to the retina
The ability to adjust the refractive power of the lens is… ACCOMMODATION.