LO6 Flashcards
what is the pupil?
the opening in the middle of the eye which light passes through
what is the iris?
a visible coloured ring at the front of the eye.
it adjusts to the amount of light entering the eye through the pupil.
what are the tear glands?
known as the lacrimal glands.
produce tears to clean and lubricate the eye.
tears contain salt which is a natural antiseptic. Therefore it has the ability to defend against infection.
what are the aqueous and viterous humours?
a watery, jelly like fluid that fills the eye.
helps to keep the eye in shape and nourishing.
what is the conjunctiva?
thin membrane which protects the cornea.
what is the cornea?
the transparent front of the eye.
light t-rays pass through it to the retina.
what is the retina?
the inner lining of the eye.
it contains light sensitive cells that are called rods and cones.
what is the macula?
contains a high concentration of photoreceptor cells.
these detect light and send signals to the brain. This then interprets them as images.
what is the optic nerve?
where the nerve cells exit the eye.
there are no rods or cones so it is known as the blind spot.
what is the ciliary muscle?
enables the lens to change shape for focusing.
contracts to stretch the lens, making it flatter and thinner.
what are the suspensory ligaments?
attach to the ciliary muscle.
what is the lens?
focuses light entering the eye.
definition of glaucoma
a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged.
symptoms of glaucoma
- intense eye pain
- nausea and vomiting
- red eyes
- headaches
- tenderness around the eyes
- seeing rings around lights
- blurred vision
causes of glaucoma
the fluid builds up and puts pressure on the optic nerve, damaging it and effecting the electrical impulse transmission to the brain. Results in blindness
monitoring of glaucoma
- regular appointments to monitor the condition and check that the eye drop treatment is working
treatment of glaucoma
- daily eye drops administered by the individual themselves. This is the most common form of treatment
- laser treatment to open up blocked drainage tubes or reduce the fluid production in the eye
- surgery to improve the drainage of fluid
care needs of glaucoma
- regular check ups
- recovery from surgery
- healthy eating/dietary changes
-taking care to avoid injuries due to falls - not seeing properly - home adaptations
lifestyle impacts of glaucoma
- loss of independence
- problems with reading and driving
- may need to change jobs
- feeling tired or stressed
- may lead to loss of employment
-emotional and social effects - depression, not going out or taking part in hobbies or sports
definition of age-related macula degeneration (AMD)
an eye disease that can blur your central vision. it happens when aging causes damage to the macula. The part of the eye that controls sharp, straight ahead vision.
symptoms of AMD
- gradual vision loss
- seeing straight lines as wavy or crooked
- objects looking smaller than normal
- colours seeming less bright than they used to
- seeing things that aren’t there (hallucinations)
causes of AMD
- actual cause unknown
- linked to high blood pressure, being overweight and having a family history of the condition
monitoring AMD
regular scans
treatment for AMD
- no treatment to cure the condition
- stopping smoking may slow progression