Lens and cataract Flashcards
Where does the lens receive all of its nutrients from?
Aqueous entirely. There is no blood supply to the lens except during development.
What is the length and depth of an average adult human lens?
9mm by 5mm Cataract surgeons work 9 to 5
What natural aging process might cause a lens to be more myopic (increased refraction)? Hyperopic?
The lens becomes more thick/dense and possibly more curved causing it to be more myopic. However, its index of refraction also decreases with age thus causing it to be more hyperopic.
What is the equatorial region of the lens called where lens epithelium begin to elongate and migrate losing their organelles?
The bow region
What percentage of the lens is protein?
33%
Of the water soluble proteins in the lens, what the the 3 major types?
Alpha, beta, and gamma (from order of largest to smallest)
What is the main energy source of the lens (what fuel)?
glucose, depends on anaerobic metabolism
What are the basics of the Helmholtz theory of accomodation?
Anterior lens becomes more convex when ciliary muscle contracts as this causes the zonules to relax which normally have a constant tension on the lens
What is believed to be the principle cause of presbyopia?
Hardening of the lens
What are primary lens fibers?
Lens fibers (from posterior) that elongate and fill the lumen of the newly created lens vessicle. These form the embryonic nucleus.
What are secondary lens fibers?
Lens fibers that begin to elongate near the equator to evelope the newly developed embryonic nucleus (formed from primary lens fibers). These form the fetal nucleus.
What is the reason the lens fails to develop in congenital aphakia, primary type? Secondary type (the more common type)?
lens placode fails to form; spontaneous absorption of the lens
Epicapsular star
Tiny colored, star shaped anterior capsule remnant of the anterior tunica vasculosa lentis
Why would cycloplegics be the medication of choice for secondary angle closure caused in microspherophakia?
Relaxation of the ciliary muscles tightens the zonular fibers causing the spherical lens to flatten
What is the most common type of congenital cataract?
Lamellar
Which direction is ectopia lentis usually in homocystinuria?
Down and in (opposite from Marfans)
Ectopia lentis et pupilae
Lens and pupil are both displace in opposite directions
Vacuoles proceed what type of cataract?
Cortical
PSC’s are associated more with distance or near visual complaints?
Near