General Information

Question 1

What is the bulk of the aqueous?

Answer 1

water: 98%, hyaluronan and a combination of small molecules

Question 2

What shape is the vitreous?

Answer 2

Viscoelastic

Question 3

What is the definition of viscoelastic?

Answer 3

Can return to its original shape

Question 4

What is the reason for the vitreous being viscoelastic?

Answer 4

To provide the globe with structural support

Question 5

What is the vitreous core made of?

Answer 5

Collagen

Question 6

What is the function of the anterior hyaloid:

Answer 6

Shock absorber

Question 7

Where does the anterior membrane lie?

Answer 7

It separates the lens and the vitreous

Question 8

Where does the posterior vitreous lie?

Answer 8

Separating the vitreous and the retina

Question 9

What anatomy does the posterior hyaloid contact?

Answer 9

It’s in contact with the retina extending from the vitreous base (posterior) to the onh

Question 10

Where is the vitreous base?

Answer 10

Ring shaped attachment that extends round the ora (Line dividing the cillary body and the retina)

Question 11

Where are the vitreous base attachments?

Answer 11

The anterior hyaloid is attached to the ora serata

Question 12

What is the posterior cortex attached to?

Answer 12

ILM

Question 13

Where is the inner limiting membrane?

Answer 13

Most anterior layer of the retina

Question 14

Where are the attachments stronger over?

Answer 14

Blood vessels

Question 15

Where are the strongest attachments?

Answer 15

Vitreous base

Question 16

Besides the vitreous base and the blood vessels, where else are the strong attachments?

Answer 16

At the optic nerve head

Question 17

Explain what the hyaloid artery does?

Answer 17

It connects the blood supply of the optic nerve head to the anterior eye

Question 18

Does the hyaloid artery stay throughout life?

Answer 18

No, it disappears before birth and the channel remains and fills with fluid

Question 19

What is the hyaloid artery that’s now filled with fluid called?

Answer 19

Hyaloid canal

Question 20

Define bergmeisters papillae:

Answer 20

An opaque strand extending from the onh to the anterior hyaloid membrane

Question 21

Besides staying as the full artery, what else can happen to the hyaloid artery?

Answer 21

Fragments of the artery can remain attached to the posterior lens forming small opacities which are mittendorf dots

Question 22

Does mittendorf dots have any symptoms?

Answer 22

No but if the opacity is large enough and close to the visual axis then this can lead to reduced vision. Persistent hyaloid artery can give rise to floaters/reduced VA A

Question 23

What issues with the vitreous does ageing cause?

Answer 23

Liquefaction=synchysis

Shrinkage of the vitreous=synersis

Question 24

What does synersis lead to?

Answer 24

It leads to the liberation of small collagen fibres which then join to form strands which form and float in the vitreous

Question 25

Why does colleges fibres floating cause floaters?

Answer 25

Because they have reduced transparency compared to the rest of the media causing shadows to be casted over the retina

Question 26

In what conditions do floaters appear most noticeable?

Answer 26

Bright and plain backgrounds

Question 27

Which condition causes vitreous changes faster?

Answer 27

Myopia

Question 28

Why would young people complain of floaters?

Answer 28

Because they’re most likely myopic

Question 29

How do you know vitreous degeneration due to myopia isn’t serious?

Answer 29

It should be longstanding, bilateral and have a gradual onset