Eyes Flashcards
What is the #1 priority when a patient comes in with an eye complaint?
Assess for visual acuity
What does it mean if the patient has 20/40 vision?
They see at 20 feet what a normal person sees at 40 feet
What is legally blind?
20/200
Strabismus (crossed eyes) eventually leads to a lazy eye. A lazy eye is also known as ________.
Amylopia
What are the 4 cranial nerves related to the eye?
2, 3, 4, 6
What is the name of cranial nerve 2 and what does it do?
Optic - looks at actual vision
What is the name of cranial nerve 3 and what does it do?
Oculomotor - allows for eyes to focus
What is the name of cranial nerve 4 and what does it do?
Trochlear - allows for downward and inward movement of eyes
What is the name of cranial nerve 6 and what does it do?
Abducens - allows for outward movement and looking to the side
On an eye exam, arteries are going to look _______ and _______ in color compared to veins.
Thinner and lighter
Swelling of the optic disc. This requires a referral.
Papilledema
What 2 findings on a fundoscopic exam can be reversed with better blood pressure control?
- Copper wire arteries
2. AV nicking
When an artery crosses into a vein and causes it to bulge.
AV Nicking
What 3 fundoscopic exam findings are associated with diabetes?
- Cotton wool spots
- Neovascularization
- Microaneurysms
Tiny white areas on the retina caused by lack of blood flow.
Cotton wool spots
The retina is robbed of its blood supply so it grows new. These vessels are defective and fragile so they can cause a bleed which results in impaired vision.
Neovascularization
Seen as deep red dots on a fundoscopic exam. Usually the first visible sign of diabetic retinopathy.
Microaneurysms
Sudden onset of severe eye pain with reduced or blurry vision. Eye is firm to the touch. Increased intraoccular pressures. Refer to the ER immediately.
Acute angle closure glaucoma
Can result in permanent vision loss
Feels like a curtain is being pulled over their eye. Sudden appearance of floaters and flashes of light. Blurred vision.
Retinal detachment
Refer immediately
Gray halo around the eye caused by increased cholesterol. OK if seen in an elderly person. If seen in a young individual, draw lipid panel and treat.
Arcus senillis
Yellow cholesterol deposits seen around the eye. OK if seen in an elderly person. If seen in a young individual, draw lipid panel and treat.
Xanthelasma
Benign, noncancerous overgrowth of the conjunctiva that encroaches on the cornea. Generally asymptomatic other than having eye redness.
Pterygium
Benign, noncancerous overgrowth of the conjunctiva that doesn’t encroach on the cornea. Generally asymptomatic other than having eye redness.
Pinguecula
Blockage of a duct. Treat with warm compresses.
Chalazion
