Eyes Flashcards
retinal detachment - definition, tx
usually spontaneous or traumatic
- flashers, floaters, “curtain” closing
- results in acute vision loss
tx: refer to ophthalmology
retinal artery occlusion
acute, PAINLESS, loss of vision (unilateral)
- emergency!
- # 1 cause is carotid atherosclerosis (emboli occludes)
retinal vein occlusion
subacute, unilateral blurriness
- “blood and thunder” fundus - leaking due to blockage and back-up of blood
- may resolve on own
- w/u for underlying cause
- risks: elderly, HTN, glaucoma, DM
optic neuritis - definition, causes, sxs, tx
sudden inflammation of nervous tissue of eye; can destroy myelin
- unilateral vision loss
- loss of pupillary rx to light
- pain with EOEM
causes: infection, autoimmune dz (SLE, sarcoid), multiple sclerosis
tx:
- treat underlying cause
- may resolve on own
- corticosteroids, IV
- prognosis good unless MS or SLE
causes of acute vision loss
retinal detachment
retinal artery occlusion
optic neuritis
causes of chronic vision loss
glaucoma
cataract
macular degeneration
retinopathy
glaucoma - definition, risks
increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and optic nerve damage
- visual field loss leading to blindness
- PREVENTABLE
risks: DM, HTN, hypothyroid, FH, African American
glaucoma - two types
open angle: asymptomatic rise in IOP
- central vision spared
- most common / less severe
angle closure:
- ocular emergency!
- sudden, complete occlusion of aqueous humor flow
- pain, blurred vision, photophobia
- hazy cornea w/ fixed pupil
- N/V, sweating
glaucoma - screening (3 things to check)
- anterior chamber angle (bowing of iris)
- optic nerve exam
- cup: disc ratio (>0.5 = abnormal) - IOP>21 mmHg
angle closure glaucoma - tx
TRUE ocular emergency
- immediate referral
- decrease IOP: carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (IV), osmotic agent (mannitol), pilocarpine drops (contract ciliary muscles and facilitate flow)
glaucoma - general tx
promote drainage:
- cholinergic agents (pilocarpine)
decrease production:
- beta blockers
both
- alpha agonists
Can get surgical tx if not responding to meds
cataract - definition, sxs, tx
opacity of lens (brown to yellow discoloration)
- white in pupil; appears dark against red reflex w/ otoscope
- slow, progressive loss of vision
- VERY common
tx:
- early: magnifying glasses
- later: surgical removal
macular degeneration (age-related) - definition, sxs
yellowish, hyaline nodules that deposit in Bruch’s membrane and limit nutritional and metabolic support of macula
- sxs: gradual blurry vision, wavy or distorted vision, central bid spot
- PE: dec. acuity, drusen mottling, macular scarring
retinopathy - definition, 2 major causes in US, tx
ischemic injury to retinal vasculature
causes: diabetes and HTN
tx: treat underlying DM and HTN
blepharitis - definition, sxs, tx
inflammation or infection of eyelid
- “dandruff of eyelid”
sxs: irritation, burning, FB sensation, tearing, photophobia
tx: topical ABX (erythromycin), warm compress
dacryocystitis
inflammation of lacrimal gland +/- duct
sxs: pain, swelling, tearing, drainage
- unilateral
tx:
- warm or cool compress
- oral ABX if infectious
- abscess: I&D