final exam study grid Flashcards
____ is #1 priority
safety; especially in psychiatry
hyperopia
- farsightedness
- caused when the globe or eyeball is too short from the front to the back, causing light rays to focus behind the retina
- people who are hyperopic see faraway images more clearly than nearby images
- hyperopia is corrected w/ convex lenses
myopia
- nearsightedness
- caused by light rays focusing in front of the retina. the eyeball is elongated; the light rays do not reach the retina
- distance vision is blurred
- myopia is corrected w/ concave lenses
astigmatism
- results from unequal curvatures in the shape of the cornea
- when parallel light ray enter the eye, the irregular cornea causes the light rays to be refracted to focus on two different points
- caused blurred vision w/ distortion
- caused by injury, inflammation, corneal surgery, or an inherited autosomal, dominant trait
presbyopia
- age related condition in which the eye’s lens gradually loses its elasticity
- this makes it difficult for the lens to change shape, reducing its ability to focus light onto the retina to see close objects
- occurs at about age 40
retinopathy
- a disorder in which vascular changes occur in the retinal blood vessels, most commonly w/ diabetes
- pathological changes in diabetic retinopathy are related to excess glucose, changes in retinal capillary walls, formation of microaneurysms, and constriction of retinal blood vessels
nonproliferative retinopathy
- results from microaneurysms on the retinal capillary walls, occluded vessels, or hard exudates
- microaneurysms may leak blood into the central retina or macula
proliferative retinopathy
- characterized by the formation of new blood vessels
- they grow into the retinal and optic disc area to increase the blood supply to the retina
- the newly formed blood vessels are fragile and abnormal, and they often leak blood into the vitreous and retina
signs and symptoms of proliferative retinopathy
- central and visual acuity or color vision may decrease due to macular edema
- some patients have no symptoms until vision is lost
treatment for proliferative retinopathy
- treatment of diabetic retinopathy is to stop the leakage of blood and fluid into the vitreous and retina
- surgical or pharmacological methods
retinal detachment
- a separation of the retina from the choroid layer beneath it
- allows fluid to enter the space between the layers
3 possible causes of retinal detachment
- a hole or tear in the retina that allows fluid to flow between the two layers
- fibrous tissue in the vitreous humor that contracts and pulls the retina away from its normal position
- fluid or exudate accumulation in the subretinal space that separates the retinal layers
signs and symptoms of retinal detachment
- sudden change in vision
- patient may report seeing flashing lights and then floaters
- floaters caused by bleeding into the vitreous humor
- flashing lights caused by vitreous traction on the retina
- when the retina detaches, patients often describe it as looking through a veil, or “cobwebs”
- painless
- loss of visual acuity in affected eye
- loss of peripheral vision
treatments for retinal detachment
- emergency medical treatments is required to retain vision
- laser surgery
- pneumatic retinopexy
- scleral buckling
laser surgery for retinal detachment
- focuses a laser beam at the torn area of the retina, causing a controlled burn
- this forms scars around the tear and reattaches the retina to surrounding tissue
cryopexy
- the placement of a supercooled probe on the sclera over the affected area
- the probe freezes and scars the tear or hole (similar to laser procedures)
pneumatic retinopexy
- it involves injecting air or gas into the eye chamber to hold the retina in place
- the patient must be extremely compliant w/ the treatment regimen
- they must recline for about 16 hours before the procedure so the retina can fall back toward the choroid
scleral buckling
- a silicon buckle under a thin band of silicon around the sclera is tightened to create an indentation that brings the choroid in contact w/ the retina
complications w/ retinal detachment
- there is risk of increased intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal tears, and recurrent retinal detachment
glaucoma
- a group of disease that damages the optic nerve
- the optic nerve transmits visual information from the eye to the brain
- the damage to this nerve is silent, progressive, and irreversible
- loss of peripheral vision occurs, followed by reduced central vision and eventually blindness
primary open angle glaucoma (POAG)
- most common type
- when the drainage system of the eye, the trabecular meshwork and scleral venous sinus, degenerates and blocks the flow of aqueous humor and/or there is increased aqueous production
signs and symptoms of POAG
- develops bilaterally
- onset is gradual and painless
- peripheral vision gradually decreases
treatments for POAG
- focuses on decreasing IOP by opening the aqueous flow
medications for POAG
- cholinergic agents (miotics)
- beta blockers
- laser trabeculoplasty
cholinergic agents (miotics)
- physostigmine
- pilocarpine
- constricts the pupil which pulls the iris away from the drainage canal
betablockers
- timolol
- betaxolol
- helps decreases IOP
laser trabeculoplasty
- a narrow laser beam opens drainage in the trabecular meshwork to allow aqueous humor to flow freely
- selective laser trabeculoplasty uses low level laser that affects selected pigmented tissue in the eye to improve drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork
angle closure glaucoma (ACG)
- also known as narrow angle glaucoma
- occurs in people who have an anatomically narrowed angle at the junction where the iris meets the cornea
signs and symptoms of angle closure glaucoma
- unilateral, rapid onset
- severe pain over the affected eye
- decreased vision
- halos around lights
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- when nearby eye structures such as the iris protrude nto the anterior chamber, the angle is occluded, blocking the flow of aqueous fluid
- medical emergency and results in partial or total bindness
many categories of medications are contraindicated with POAG and ACG regardless of route and can cause blockage of the eye’s drainage system. they include…
- glucocorticoids (topical, ocular, oral, or inhaled)
- systematic sympathomimetics (ephedrine, pseudophedrine-containing medications, decongestants, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, and selective serotonin uptake inhibitors)
- anticholinergics
cataracts
- an opacity in the lens of the eye that may cause a loss of visual acuity
signs and symptoms of cataracts
- loss of vision
- difficulty w/ night vision, reading fine print or seeing in bright light
- increased sensitivity to glare such as driving at night
myopic shift
increase in nearsightedness
surgical management for cataracts
- when cataracts begin to interfere w/ daily living and quality of life, intraocular lens implant surgery is recomended
macular degeneration
dry (atrophic)
wet (exudative)
dry (atrophic) macular degeneration
- accounts for 70% to 90% of cases
- photoreceptors in the macula fail and are not replaced because of age
wet (exudative) macular degeneration
- retinal tissue degenerates, allowing vitreous fluid or blood into the subretinal space
- new fragile blood vessels from (angiogenesis)
- this compromises the macuar tissue, causing subretinal edema. eventually, fibrous scar tissue forms, severely limiting central vision
signs and symptoms of dry macular degeneration
- slow, progressive loss of central and near vision
- usually bilaterally in varying degrees
signs and symptoms of wet macular degeneration
- sudden onset
- loss of central and near vision
treatments for dry macular degeneration
- no treatments for dry AMD
- most patients with dry AMD do not lose peripheral vision or become totally blind and instead are legally blind
- low vision telescopic glasses can enhance remaining vision
treatments for wet macular degeneration
- treated w/ intermittent injection into the eye of an anti angiogenesis medication (eg ranibizumab [lucentis] or aflibercept [eylea])
- medications that are antiangiogenetic prvent formation of fragile blood vessels that can leak and bleed
common warning signs of abuse
- delay in seeking treatment for injuries, minimizing injuries
- history of being “accident prone”
- pattern of injuries not accidental looking; for example, identical burns on bottom of feet, identical injuries on both sides of head
- multiple injuries in varying stages of healing
- conflicting stories from victim and abuser about cause of injury
- inconsistency between history and injury
- unusual, even bizarre, explanation for injuries
- repeated visits to EDs or clinics
- previous reports of abuse
- patient reporting abuse
- patient fearful of caregiver or partner
- visits to a variety of doctors, emergency rooms for treatment to avoid a record of treatment
common characteristics of victims in elder abuse
- evidence of malnutrition, dehydration, poor hygiene, pressure injuries, not receiving needed medical care
- unusual injuries such as twisting fractures, cigarette burns on face or back, perforated eardrums from being slapped
- evidence of sexually transmitted infections, unusual genital injuries
- deterioration in mental status including confusion and depression
- sudden lack of funds in person who previous had resources
- frail, dependent, possible mental impairment requiring care from family member or hired help
- extreme dependency, attachment to new caregiver
- evidence of inappropriate use of restraints
- abandonment of elder in emergency room, nursing home
common characteristics of abusers in elder abuse
- often living w/ victim, lacks resources to live elsewhere
- refuses to allow diagnostic tests, hospitalization
- often much younger than patient
- chases victim’s social security or pension check
- sudden, intense involvement with patient with little input from other family members
- discourages patient from contacting others
- evidence of drug or alcohol abuse or mental illness
- expects dependent elder to meet caregiver’s needs
- caregiver overwhelming w/ patient’s care needs, demonstrates frustration and resentment, isolated w/ limited assistance
- elderly spouse w/ dementia who has challenges in managing stress
- coerces senior to change will to caregiver’s benefit
- shows no guilt or rationalizes actions
specific examples of elder abuse can include
- hitting
- shoving
- social isolation
- leaving the victim in soiled linens
- withholding food and/or water
- using inappropriate restraints
- making threats
- forcing the victim to sign over financial affairs or change a will
- sexually molesting the victim
- insulting the victim
abusers may present with some of the following traits
- inconsistent explanation of injuries of the victim
- failure to show empathy for the victim
- demanding to take victim home and refuse of hospitalization for the injured victim
- speaking for the victim
- criticizing the victim
- abusing family pets
characteristics for child victims of all ages; w/ greatest risk < age 3 (including infants)
- blamed for family conflict
- low self esteem
- fear of parent or caretaker
- cheating, lying, low achievement in school
- signs of depression, helplessness
- one child sometimes singled out in family due to being labeled as “difficult”; child may be the product of unwanted pregnancy, remind the parents of someone they dislike or even themselves, may hve been born premature, or may hve a chronic illness/disability
characteristics of victims of domestic/spouse/intimate partner
- low self esteem
- self blame for partner’s actions
- sense of helplessness to escape abuse
- isolation from family and friends
- views self as subservient to partner
- economic dependence on abuser
characteristics of victims of elder abuse
- older than 75
- mentally or physically impaired
- isolated from others
- female
- increased risk for exacerbation of pre existing conditions or of premature death