Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Primary Care > Eyes > Flashcards

Eyes Flashcards

1
Q

What are the Red flag symptoms for eye pathology?

A

Red eye
Sudden vision loss
Eye pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does a red eye suggest?

A

Disorder may be ocular rather than referred

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What aspects of Hx are important in eye pathology?

A 
Contact lenses
Visual aids
Similar episodes of eye problems
Eye surgery and lazy eye
Social Hx: helps determine extent of vision loss
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What visual examinations can be assessed?

A

Snellen chart: visual acuity in adults
Sheridan-Gardiner test: visual acuity in children
Ishihara test: colour blindness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How is a Snellen chart result determined?

A

Two consecutive incorrect letters, use result above

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

If the patient is illiterate, how is visual acuity assessed?

A

Counting fingers

Presence/absence of light

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which ophthalmic medical emergency can occur due to Staph aureus?

A

Orbital cellulitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Name other common causes of orbital cellulitis

A

Strep pneumoniae
Strep pyogenes
H influenzae
MRSA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why is orbital cellulitis considered a medical emergency?

A

It is potentially sight-threatening and life-threatening

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the characteristic features of orbital cellulitis?

A

Acute onset of unilateral eyelid oedema and chemosis (conjunctiva oedema), with erythema
Orbital signs: proptosis, gaze restriction, blurred/double vision
Systemic signs: fever, severe malaise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What features occur in preseptal cellulitis?

A

Acute onset of eyelid oedema and erythema
Absence of orbital signs
Fever, malaise
Ptosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Although orbital cellulitis affects all ages, which is the commonest?

A

Children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the difference between preseptal cellulitis and orbital cellulitis?

A

Preseptal cellulitis is commoner and less serious.
Rarely involves postseptal anatomy.
Examination: eyelid oedema in absence of orbital signs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the most important predisposing factors for preseptal (periocular) infection in children?

A

URTI

Sinusitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is the orbital septum?

A

A membranous sheet acting as the anterior boundary of the orbit. Separates the eyelid from the contents of the orbital cavity. Provides a barrier between the preseptal space and the orbit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Outline the pathophysiology of orbital cellulitis

A
  • Spread of infection from preorbital structures (sinuses, face, eye globe, lacrimal sac, dental via maximally sinus). Commonest cause.
  • Spread of preseptal cellulitis
  • Post-surgery
  • Haematogenous spread
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Outline the pathophysiology of preseptal cellulitis

A
  • Local skin trauma
  • Spread of local infection (sinuses, stye, lacrimal sac)
  • Spread of distant infection from face or URT
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are some complications of orbital cellulitis?

A

Total vision loss
-Exposure keratotomy - permenant damage to cornea
-Raised intraocular pressure
-Central retinal artery or vein occlusion
-Optic neuropathy
Meningitis (rare)
Cerebral abscess (rare)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Early presentation of preseptal and orbital cellulitis is similar. What features increase suspicion of orbital cellulitis?

A

Proptosis
External ophthalmoplegia (paralysis of extraocular muscles)
Decreased visual acuity (impaired colour vision is an early sign)
Chemosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What situations require an emergency referral to ophthalmology?

A

Children with suspected preseptal cellulitis (considered orbital cellulitis until disproven)
Suspected orbital cellulitis
Patients with features of preseptal or orbital cellulitis who are systemically unwell
If not responding to treatment for preseptal cellulitis
If lid abscess drainage is required
Doubt over diagnosis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Outline the management of preseptal cellulitis

A

Co-amoxiclav: should improve in 24-48hr
IV ABX e.g. Ceftriaxone
ENT referral if sinusitis present

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

How is orbital cellulitis disproven in children with signs of preseptal cellulitis?

A

Repeat examinations normal
Good response to ABX in first 24hr
Normal CT scan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Outline the management of orbital cellulitis

A

Required hospital admission for 7-10 days
IV ABX
Metronidazole in pt over 10yr with chronic sinonasal disease
Clindamycin + quinolone if penicillin sensitive
Surgery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What are the Red flag symptoms of loss of vision?

A 
Pain
Red eye
Rapid onset
Focal neurology
Diabetic
Trauma
Amaurosis fugax (painless temporary loss of vision)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the commonest cause for blind registration in the U.K.?

A

Senile macular degeneration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What an underlying for painless and sudden transient loss of unilateral vision (Amaurosis fugax)?

A

Vascular pathology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What condition must be considered in a presentation of pain and sudden visual deficit?

A

Acute glaucoma - Eye appears red and is hard to touch. Fixed dilated oval pupil due to severe pain. Loss of pupillary (light) reflex

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

How does optic neuritis differ from acute glaucoma?

A

Less severe eye pain
Worsens on movement
Associated with reduced acuity
Associated with MS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What are some causes of sudden complete blindness?

A 
Bilateral occipital stoke
Trauma
Rapidly progressing space-occupying lesion
Bilateral optic nerve damage
Severe bilateral papilloedema
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What chronic conditions are associated with chronic retinopathy?

A

Diabetes

Hypertension

32
Q

What are the stages if diabetic retinopathy?

A
  1. Background retinopathy
  2. Pre-proliferative retinopathy
  3. Proliferation retinopathy

Also Maculopathy

33
Q

Describe fundoscopy findings of background retinopathy

A

Micro aneurysms
Haemorrhage
Hard exudates

34
Q

Describe fundoscopy findings of pre-proliferation retinopathy

A

Cotton wool spots
Haemorrhage
Venous beading

35
Q

Describe the fundoscopy findings of proliferative retinopathy

A

New vessel formation

Vitreous haemorrhage

36
Q

When should maculopathy be suspected?

A

Decreased visual acuity

37
Q

What treatment options are available for diabetic retinopathy?

A

Laser treatment
Anti-VEGF injection
Intravitreal steroid implants
Vitrectomy

38
Q

What are the stages of hypertensive retinopathy?

A
  1. Tortuous arteries with increased reflectiveness
  2. AV nipping
  3. Flame haemorrhage + Cotton wool spots
  4. Papilloedma
39
Q

What is a stye (hordeola)?

A

Acute localised inflammatory swelling of the eyelid margin

40
Q

How does a stye present?

A

Painful localised eyelid swelling that has developed over several days

41
Q

What the the commonest causative agent of a stye?

A

Staph species

42
Q

What is the difference between external and internal styes?

A

External: along edge of eyelid, due to infected eyelash follicles or glands.

Internal: on the conjunctival surface, caused by infected meibomian glands (special sebaceous glands that prevent dry eyes).

43
Q

What is the prognosis of a stye?

A

Generally self-limiting within 5-7 days

44
Q

Name a predisposing factor to styes?

A

Blepharitis (inflammation of eyelid margin)

45
Q

What is a rare but serious complication of styes?

A

Preseptal cellulitis

46
Q

Outline management options of a stye?

A

Self-help: warm compressive several times a day

If painful: remove eyelid from infected follicle (facilitates drainage), or draining with a fine needle.

47
Q

What treatment is not advised if styes occur alone?

A

Topical antibiotics

48
Q

What is the commonest type of eye cancer in the U.K.

49
Q

Where can ocular cancer manifest?

A

Intraocular
Conjunctiva
Extraocular

50
Q

Name two types of intraocular cancer

A

Melanoma of the eye

Lymphoma of the eye

51
Q

What type of lymphoma is intraocular lymphoma?

A

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

52
Q

What differentiates Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma?

A

The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphoma. These are large abnormal lymphocytes that may contain more than one nucleus.

53
Q

What is the commonest cancer of the conjunctiva?

A

Squamous cell cancer of the conjunctiva

54
Q

What is the prognosis of squamous cell cancer of the conjunctiva?

A

Good prognosis due to slow growth and very rare risk of invasion.

55
Q

Name two types of extraocular cancer

A

Basal cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Rhabdomyosarcoma (rare): appears in the extraocular muscles of children

56
Q

Where does secondary eye cancer most commonly metastasise from?

A

Women: Breast cancer
Men: Lung cancer

57
Q

What symptoms are seen with ocular cancers?

A 
Proptosis
Vision loss
Blurred vision
Pale raised mass on conjunctiva/cornea
Change in appearance of eye
58
Q

Name two infectious causes of rapid vision loss?

A

Orbital cellulitis: Strep pneumoniae, Strep pyogenes, HiB, MRSA
Shingles: Varicella-zoster virus

59
Q

What tests should be done in suspected ophthalmic shingles?

A

Snellen chart for visual acuity

Fluorescein stain + blue light to detect forgein bodies, corneal injury, and abnormal tear production. Green areas are damaged. Dendritic ulcers visible on staining.

60
Q

Explain how ophthalmic shingles causes rapid vision loss

A

Cornea loses sensation which causes less tear production. Ulceration of the cornea occurs, if fibrosis occurs then vision is affected.

Shingles can also cause keratitis (rare), which if not treated can affect vision.

61
Q

How is ophthalmic shingles treated?

A

Acyclovir

Analgesia

62
Q

Which condition is most commonly misdiagnosed as conjunctivitis? How does it differ?

A

Blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelid): does not involve the conjunctiva, and features crusting at the eyelid

63
Q

How is blepharitis managed?

A

Lid hygiene

Eye massage

64
Q

What are some complications of blepharitis?

A

Dry eye syndrome
Conjunctivitis
Styes
Cornea damage

65
Q

What treatment options are available to adults and children with blocked lacrimal ducts?

A

Adult: surgical probe
Children: Wait and see, as often resolves with age

66
Q

How is conjunctivitis managed?

A

Often self-limiting. Eye wash for 4-5 days.

Use ABX eye drops if not resolving, or for children in school

67
Q

What is the classical feature of allergic conjunctivitis?

A

Cobblestone papillae form on the inside of the upper eyelid

68
Q

Name the types of conjunctivitis

A

Viral
Bacterial
Allergic

69
Q

What features would indicate a bacterial conjunctivitis over other types of conjunctivitis?

A

Pus discharge
Photophobia
Bilateral involvement as it is highly contagious

70
Q

Which condition is associated with contact lenses? How does it present?

A

Acute keratitis (cornea): Painful red eye with acute vision loss

71
Q

What is a pterygium, and when is it treated?

A

A tissues overgrowth (slow) onto the cornea. It is only treated if pupil involvement.

72
Q

What are cataracts, and how is it treated?

A

Clouding of the eye lens, which causes gradual vision loss and glare problems. Associated with increasing age.

Surgical lens replacement.

73
Q

What is a sign of congenital cataracts?

A

Absence of red reflex in babies

74
Q

What pathology is associated with congenital cataracts?

A

Retinoblastoma

Kidney tumours

Primary Care (12 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions