Eyes CUE CARDS Flashcards
What are the causes of visual impairment?
Cataracts, Glaucoma, AMD (Macular Degeneration), Uncorrected Refractive Error, DR and Other
What is a significant risk factor for the development of cataracts?
Long term use of corticosteroids is a significant risk factor
What are the two different types of AMD?
Dry ARMD and Wet ARMD (treatment only available for wet)
What is AMD?
Loss of central field of view
Is it true that aspirin increases the risk of MD?
> There is insufficient data to suggest this
> The study had significant limitations and the numbers were small
What is Glaucoma?
> Chronic degenerative optic neuropathy distinguished from other neuropathies by the characteristic appearance of the optic nerve
Neuroretinal rim of the optic nerve becomes progressively thinner, thereby enlarging the optic-nerve cup
What does Glaucoma result in?
> Typically results in loss of peripheral vision
> Loss of all vision if not treated
What is the Most Common form of Glaucoma?
> Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) most common
Occurs with or without elevated IOP
Adult onset (>40yrs) or Juvenile (30-40yrs)
Describe IOP in those without optic damage
Elevated IOP but no damage to optic nerve
Described as having ocular hypertension (detected before damaged - lowering pressure can prevent damage)
Describe IOP in those with optic damage
Can have normal IOP but have damage to optic nerve
These people will still be on treatment to lower the pressure in the eye (because pressure is the only thing we can manipulate in order to prevent optic nerve damage)
What factors need to be considered when determining the target for IOP?
> Clear differences between an elderly patient with slow disease progression as compared to a young patient with rapidly progressing visual defects
> Initial target will need to be refined as the clinical observes how the disease responds to a given reduction in IOP
What is the difference in therapy target of Glaucoma vs. BP?
> In glaucoma, the target IOP reduction is described in terms of Percentage Reduction from Baseline, rather than as an absolute target value (like BP)
What are the Treatment Aims of Glaucoma?
> Slow or stop disease progression
Achieved by lowering IOP regardless of initial value
Generally aim for a 30-50% reduction in baseline IOP
Specific target determined by: baseline IOP, age and life expectancy, changes in the visual field and rate of disease progression
What is the Assessment of Glaucoma?
> Monitor IOP and increases in visual field defects
> Adjust target IOP if disease progression
How do you use eye drops?
- Wash hands and remove contact lenses
- Shake bottle and remove cap (place cap on its side or held carefully in other hand)
- Tilt head back and look up
- Gently pull down on the lower lid to form pouch
- Instil drop into pouch (don’t touch dropper to eye)
- Gently close eye and apply pressure to inner corner of eye for 1-2 mins
- Wait a minimum of 3 minutes before instilling other drops in the same eye
