Introduction to Ophthalmology Flashcards
How is transparency of the cornea maintained?
relative dehydration of the stroma is maintained by impermeable epithelial barrier and active pumping mechanisms of corneal endothelium. regular spacing of individual stromal collagen fibrils
What is the sclera? Describe it.
Outer coat of the eye; opaque, mechanically tough. forms posterior 5/6 of the outer coat of the eye. consists of irregularly arranged collagen fibres
How can you visually differentiate between the retinal arterioles and retinal veins?
retinal arterioles are thinner and lighter in colour than the veins
What forms the aqueous humour and where is it located?
Active secretion by epithelium of the ciliary body in the anterior and posterior chambers; anterior is between the cornea and iris and posterior is between the iris and lens
What are three functions of the sclera?
- maintains the eye shape
- maintains intraocular pressure
- barrier to infection and trauma
What are the two routes of drainage of the eye? What are the relative proportions of each?
- Conventional route 85%: drains through the trabecular meshwork into the canal of Schlemm in the anterior chamber angle
- Uvoscleral route 15%: drains through ciliary body and into ciliary circulation
Where is the ciliary body located?
Behind the iris (continuous with it anteriorly, posteriorly continuous with choroid) and encircling the lens, forms part of the uveal tract; divides the posterior chamber from the vitreous
Where is the trabecular meshwork located?
Anterior chamber drainage angle; in front of the iris, in angle between iris and cornea
What is the range of normal intraocular pressure?
10-21mmHg
What maintains the intraocular pressure?
dynamic balance between secretion and drainage of aqueous humour
What is the general name of the condition in which there is high intraocular pressure?
Glaucoma
What can glaucoma lead to if untreated?
Loss of visual field and eventual blindness
What are 3 things that help ensure the lens is transparent?
- orderly arrangement of the lens fibres
- small difference in refractive index between the various components
- absence of blood vessels
What are 3 important roles of the vitreous humour?
- transparent
- protects the ocular structures
- passive “transport and removal” of metabolites
where is the vitreous humour located?
between lens and retina
What are the two key structures present in the retina?
- Rods/ photoreceptors: 120 million (monochromatic)
2. Cones: 6 million (colour and fine vision)
What are the two key structures present in the retina?
- Rods: 120 million (monochromatic)
- Cones: 6 million (colour and fine vision)
(both types of photoreceptors)
What are 3 structures present in between the photoreceptors (rods and cones) and optic nerve fibres?
bipolar cells, synapse, ganglion cells
What is the macula?
Central vision area of the retina
Where is the macula located?
Lies lateral (temporal) to the optic disc: 3-3.5 mm temporal to temporal edge