Mx Exam Revision Flashcards
What is the 1st-choice pharmaceutical treatment for reducing IOP in glaucoma and why?
Prostaglandin Analogues [specifically Xalatan]: highest efficacy [30% reduction] and once-daily usage [24hr IOP control] is convenient.
List 4 potential side effects of prostaglandin analogues
Darker iris
Lash growth
Loss of orbital fat
Red eye [either short term or long term]
List 4 different options for prostaglandin analogues, including their dosage percentages
Latanaprost [Xalatan 0.005% NOCTE]
Travaprost [Travatan 0.004% NOCTE]
Bimatoprost [Lumigan 0.03% NOCTE]
Tafluprost [Zioptan 0.0015% NOCTE]
** that’s right lumigan is actually 0.03%
What alternative prostaglandin can you consider if Xalatan is only achieving a small reduction (IOP redcution <5mmHg)? Why?
You could try Lumigan or Travatan.
Lumigan has a different chemical composition and some studies suggest it can have a greater IOP lowering effect. There’s a preservative free lumigan you can use.
Travatan can also be considered as it binds better to PGF2alpha, however the chemical composition is similar to Xalatan so it might not have much greater an effect. Travatan does use polyquad preservative rather than BAK like xalatan, so that’s another benefit.
What downside may occur in switching from xalatan to travatan?
May have more adverse/side effects
Of the 4 mentioned prostaglandin options, which results in the least side effects and least conjunctival hyperaemia?
Xalatan.
List 3 contraindications for prostaglandin analogues
Uveitis
Pregnancy
HSV
List 3 prostaglandin analogues to consider for a patient with ocular surface disease or sensitivity to BAK preservative
Travaprost [uses an ionic buffered preservative - polyquad]
Tafluprost [preservative free]
Preservative-free Lumigan [specifically the preservative free kind]
Aside from PGAs, list 3 other drug classes that can be used to reduce IOP in open angle glaucoma
Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Beta Blockers
Alpha Agonists
Which drug class makes the best adjunct to PGAs?
CAIs. Because PGAs secondary action promotes the action of CAIs.
What is the ideal patient for PGAs?
Those with a chronic, non-acute IOP elevation (i.e. POAG and NOT aacg or post-op iop spike)
List 2 topical CAI options for reducing IOP
Dorzolamide [Trusopt 2% TiD]
Brinzolamide [Azopt 1% BiD]
List 4 benefits for topical CAIs
Reduces diurnal fluctuation
Good vascular nocturnal profile
Fast effect [1 hr]
Good adjunct to PGAs
Which topical CAI has less stinging? Dorzolamide or Brinzolamide? Why?
Brinzolamide. It coms in a 10mg/ml suspension which means it has a slower release and therefore less stinging.
List 1 contraindication for CAIs
Corneal graft/corneal compromise. Topical CAIs can result in corneal deturgescence.
Which glaucoma drops are safest to use in the first trimester?
Brimonidine [an alpha agonist] may be the safest option for the first trimester. [** it’s also generally the safest drug as it’s a category B1 drop]
Which glaucoma drops are safest to use in the second trimester? (3)
Brimonidine
Beta blockers [with regular fetal heart rate/growth monitoring]
CAIs [with fetal growth monitoring]
Which glaucoma drops are safest to use in the third trimester? (3)
Brimonidine [must discontinue late in 3rd trimester to avoid CNS depression in newborns]
Beta blockers
Topical CAIs
**All to be used with caution
What are the main risks associated with glaucoma surgery in pregnant patients? (4)
the usage of local anaesthetics
post-operative meds
gastro-oeseophageal reflux
increased risk of aortic + vena cava compression in 2nd/3rd trimester
Name an alternative to traditional glaucoma surgery that can be safer for pregnant patients. Why? (4)
Selective Laser Trabeculectomy (SLT):
- only uses topical anaesthesia
- upright positioning during procedure
- faster rehab
- reduced need for post-op meds [both dosage + duration]
When is the ideal time to consider surgery for a pregnant patient?
Before their (planned) pregnancy, as a way to manage IOP without having them on drops
Does IOP naturally rise or lower during pregnancy? By how much? Why? When is this most pronounced?
IOP diminishes by up to 10% during pregnancy, most pronounced in the 3rd trimester. Is attributed to fluctuating hormones [β-human chorionic gonadotropi and progesterone]
Is MIGS-iStent safe for pregnant patients?
Yeah-ish. About as safe as SLT anyway.
List the IOP reduction efficacies, in percentage, for the 4 different drug classes used in primary open angle glaucoma
PGAs: 30%
Beta Blockers: 25-30%
Topical CAIs: 20%
Alpha agonists: ~25% ish. Unsure. Expect maybe a 5-6mmhg reduction.
[update on the role of alpha agonists in glaucoma management]
Name 3 scenarios where you might consider MIGS-iStent
Pregnancy/Planned pregnancy
Drops not working
Patient about to undergo cataract surgery [can get iStent at same time]
When might you consider oral CAI [i.e. Diamox]? (2)
Topical therapy not working
AACG management
What effect does Diamox have on IOP?
~50% IOP reduction
What dosage of diamox would you use for glaucoma where topical is not working?
250mg Diamox po per day
What dosage of diamox would you use as an initial dose for AACG patients?
2x250mg Diamox + 500mg KCl
List 3 contraindications to Diamox
Kidney disease
Alergy to sulfa drugs
COPD [get GP advice]
Are there any fixed combination drugs containing both a PGA and CAI?
No. Not on the PBS at least. I couldn’t find any.
Are there any fixed combination drugs containing both a PGA and a beta blocker?
Yes.
Ganfort: Bimataprost + Timolol
Xalacom: Latanaprost + Timolol
How would a typical glaucoma treatment pathway look? (4)
Start with PGA1
If PGA1 not working properly (<5mmHg reduction), switch to PGA2
If PGA working but not enough, Add topical CAI
If still not enough, turn CAI into a combo with a beta blocker or alpha agonist
Are beta blockers effective at night?
No
List 2 options for beta-blockers to reduce IOP
Timolol 0.5% QD [once per day] or BiD
Betaxolol 0.5% sol BiD [safest b-blocker for asthmatics]
https://www.aaopt.org/detail/knowledge-base-article/timoptic-05-bid-or-qd-which-controls-glaucoma-more-effectively - suggests timolol 0.5% BiD is better than qd
List 6 contraindications of beta blockers
Low tension glaucoma
Bradycardia (<50bpm)
Asthma/COPD [can use betaxolol with caution]
MG
Diabetes
Depression
List the benefit of alpha agonists for glaucoma treatment
Good pulsatile ocular blood flow (POBF) effect. Particularly good for low tension glaucoma, especially when IOP = 14.
(NB: though in NTG, PGAs are still good/should try first, but try Tafluprost, which has a vascular action as well).
List 2 glaucoma drops that are good for treating the vascular nature of normal tension glaucoma
Brimonidine
Topical CAIs also good.
**Neuroprotective effect.
How was brimonidine postulated to have a neuroprotective effect in normal tension gluacoma?
it was compared to timolol in the LOGTS [Low-Pressure Gluacoma Treatment Study] and was found to result in lower likelihood of having VF progression.
List 2 alpha agonist options for treating glaucoma
Alphagan [Brimonidine 0.2% Tid (max) or BiD (adjunct)]
Apraclonidine [Iopidine 0.5% Tid (max) or BiD (adjunct)]
Which is the most commonly used alpha agonist?
Alphagan
What is the benefit of Apraclonidine?
Large fast IOP lowering which is good for IOP spikes, such as post-surgical IOP spikes (however not on PBS).
List 4 contraindications of alpha agonists
Tricyclic antidepressants
MAO inhibitors
Severe cardiovascular disease
Heavy machinery usage.
What is the main use for pilocarpine?
Low dose (0.16%) treatment for PDS/PGS, where miosis and reduced iris movement is desired
Why is pilocarpine not used much for open angle glaucoma?
too many adverse effects (e.g. CME, angle closure, variable myopia, RD, chol. toxicity, tachycardia, fever)
What is the primary IOP management for secondary glaucoma?
Same as POAG really. It depends. Can try Apraclonidine to treat IOP spikes for instance.
Avoid PGAs if secondary to uveitis.
What is the first aid treatment for AACG?
1 drop of: BB [timolol] + AA [alphagan] + CAI [trusopt] + pilo 2%. Also steroid drop if inflammation.
Then Oral diamox [2x250mg + 500mgK+] if kidneys ok
What is required for the diagnosis of POAG? (4)
NRR loss or RNFL defect
Typical VF defect (repeatable. Need baseline x3 for monitoring)
Open un-occluded angle
IOP >21mmHg (at some stage)
How many signs do we need to make a general glaucoma diagnosis? [Graham L.]
3 structural signs of glaucomatous disease that all match with each other
List 7 signs on fundus that should make you more suspicious of glaucoma (add +1 to OHTS for each)
Vertical notching
Loss of ISNT (sup/inf thinning)
High CDR (0.7+) + increasing over time [standard disc size]
CDR asymmetry >0.2
Deepening of cup
Drance Haem
Barring of circumlinear vessels
What should you do if you see an isolated drance haemorrhage in an otherwise normal patient?
While it is less likely to be glaucoma, you should still monitor every 3 months for the first 2 years. Including baseline visual fields.
Repeated drance haemorrhages that occur in this time are much more suggestive of glaucoma
How long does an isolated drance haemorrhage typically last?
about 3 months, sometimes longer. If it lasts longer, it should still be faded and less noticeable on 3 month review.
List 6 high ocular risk factors for OAG
Myopia
RVO
Oc injury/sx
Iris degen
Past/present papilloedema
High IOP
List 4 low risk factors for OAG
Female
DM
MIgraine
Sleep apnoea
List 6 other risk factors for OAG (6)
Fam Hx
African-american
High BP or very low BP
Aggressive BP control
Low CCT
Steroid use [prednisolone - e.g. for COPD]
List 9 risk factors for NTG
Age >65yo
Fam Hx
Japanese
High myopia
Aggressive BP control
CV disease
DM
Migraine
Sleep apnoea
What are the 5 main factors to consider for the OHTS risk calculator for 5 year prognosis of OAG?
Age
Mean IOP (avg of 2 eyes)
Mean CCT
Mean vertical CDR (avg of 2 eyes)
Pattern Standard Deviation on VF
Describe a suggested sequence for performing a glaucoma workup
Slit lamp –> IOP –> Gonio –> Pachymetry –> VF (dilate as doing) –> OCT –>Fundus Lens –>Repeat IOP
Why would you perform a gonio on a glaucoma patient?
Check for signs of neovascularisation or secondary glaucoma
Describe an early VF defect in glaucoma
MD >/= -6.00dB + one of:
- >/= 3 pts cluster p<5%, with at least 1pt in cluster p<1% on pattern dev plot
- Pattern SD p<0.05
- GHT “outside normal limits”
Describe a moderate VF defect in glaucoma
MD -6.01dB to -12.00dB + one of:
-25-50% p<5%, with at least 15-25%p<1% on pattern dev plot
- >/= 1pt in central 5 deg <15dB, but none <0dB
- Only 1 hemifield containing a pt <15dB in central 5deg
Describe an advanced VF defect in glaucoma
MD -12.01dB to -20.00dB + one of:
-50-75% p<5%, with at least 25-50% p<1%
- >/= 1pt in central 5 deg <0dB
- Both hemifields containing a pt <15dB in central 5deg
Describe a severe VF defect in glaucoma
MD >/= -20.00dB + one of:
>/=75% p<5%, with at least 50% p<1%
- >/= 50% pts in central 5 deg <0dB
- Both hemifields conta`ining >50% of pts <15dB in central 5deg
Describe an end-stage VF defect in glaucoma
Unable to perform VF in “worst eye” (due to central scotoma or VA = 6/60)
You should advance 1 grade in VF defect for glaucoma if there is a “threat to fixation”, what does this refer to?
4 points within central 3 degrees @ 16-25dB
When would a threat to fixation make you advance to advanced VF defect?
if 1 point within central 3 degrees @ 0-15dB
List 4 signs of PXS
White deposits (GAGs) on ant lens/iris/tm
Iris transillumination at pupil margin
Pigment loss/dispersion from iris collar
Gonio pigment
List 3 risk factors for PXS
Often 60-80yo men
Myopia
Scandinavian/Meditteranean
How does the prognosis of PXS differ from POAG?
Prognosis is worse than POAG, with faster rates of progression and poorer response
List 4 signs of PDS
Backward iris bowing
Pepper pigment deposits on anterior iris, lens capsule, corneal endothelium
Gonio pigment
Possible red eye post exercise
Why might a PDS patient acquire a red eye post exercise?
IOP spike (from the pigment)
Where are the pigment deposits on the anterior iris located in PDS?
Mostly inferior, due to gravity
How does pigment from PDS appear on the corneal endothelium
Appears as “Krukenberg’s Spindle” - a vertical line of pigment on the corneal endothelium
List 6 risk factors for PDS
M>F
30yo M or Older F
Myopic
African
Concave iris
Flat cornea
Is PDS usually unilateral or bilateral?
bilateral
Is PXF usually unilateral or bilateral?
unilateral
List the 3 main steps for managing a secondary glaucoma like PDS/PXF
Treat underlying disorder
Manage IOP (aq suppress) if long term elevated IOP
Rev 24 hours: if IOP still >/=30 with tx, refer for sx
How frequently should you monitor PXS/PDS (no glaucoma)?
4-12 monthly
How frequently should you monitor PXG/PDG?
4 monthly
List 7 risk factors for PAC
50-70yo
Female
Fam Hx
Fellow eye
Asian
Narrow angle
Forward lens + shallow AC
What 3 measurements and values would constitute a forward lens and shallow AC?
Lens vault >/= 0.6 [forward lens]
ACD <2.1 [shallow AC]
AC width <11.7
What two tests combined should be used to screen for high risk PAC suspects?
Iris shadow test and VH
What is considered a fail on the shadow test?
> 33% shadow
When a OAG diagnosis is established, and treatment chosen, how should you proceed with follow up?
Follow up in 1 month, then 3 months, then 4 months, then 6 months or 1yr.
How many baseline VF tests should you do on the 1 month review for OAG?
2 Visual Fields [making 3 total baseline VFs when adding original VF from month prior].
**NB: patient may feel uncomfortable sitting through 2 VFs, so perhaps schedule the 2nd VF for a week later. This is also good for timing purposes. NB: you should also be doing OCT/photo on this and subsequent visits too. And check IOP.
What is required for a PACS diagnosis?
PTM not visible in 2 mirrors
What is required for a PAC diagnosis?
PACs [PTM not visible in 2 mirrors] + IIS [Ischemic iris changes]
What constitutes Ischemic Iris Changes? List 3 examples.
increased pigment (2+) in sup PTM
iris atrophy
glaucomflecken
What is required for a PACG diagnosis?
PAC + NRR loss or RNFL defect
How do you manage PACG?
Peripheral laser Iridotomy
What is required for an AACG diagnosis
Angle closure with IOP >/= 24mmHg and
2 or more symptoms (pain/nausea/blur) and
2 or more signs (red/corneal oedema/mid-dilated pupil/shallow AC)
List 8 indications for a PLI
APAC/PACs/PAC/PACG
Contralateral eye in APAC
2ndary angle closure with pupil block
Plataeu iris configuration/syndrome
Aqueous misdirection
Malignant Glaucoma
Ciliary Block
PDS
List 4 contraindications for a PLI?
corneal oedema
ac inflammation
uveitis
very flat ac
List the 3 primary combination glaucoma IOP reduction drugs not involving a PGA
Combigan [Brimonidine + timolol]
Cosopt [Dorzolamide + timolol]
Simbrinza [Brimonidine + Brinzolamide]
What is the prevalence of glaucoma in siblings of patients?
10.4% [population family study]
What is the prevalence of glaucoma in children of patients?
1.1%
Which optic nerve disease in a 60yo women could be mimic the appearance of primary open angle glaucoma?
AION: Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
List 4 symptoms of AION
Sudden painless vision loss
TIAs/Amaurosis Fugax
Diplopia
Flashes/flicker/colour scintillations
List 4 GCA specific symptoms
HAs [50%]
Tender/swollen temporal artery
Jaw claudication
Scalp tender/pain
List 5 ocular signs of AION
Central scotoma
Achromatopsia/Dyschromatopsia
RAPD
Peri-papillary non-perfusion
Optic neuropathy
Describe the optic neuropathy that occurs in AION
Disc oedema + pp haem + CWPs OR …
White pallid disc with mild pp oedema
List 6 differentials for AION
NAION
ON inflammation via syphilis, sarcoidosis
Infiltrative optic neuropathies
Anterior orbital lesions with ON compression
Diabetic papillopathy
Open angle glaucoma.
What are the 5 steps for GCA Management
.
- Hospital Emergency ward: referral with mention of your suspicion
- Urgent blood test: ESR + CRP
- Systemic Steroid [Prednisolone 60mg qd po]
- Urgent temporal artery biopsy
- Low dose maintenance steroid typically for 1-2 days, after which stopping tx can be considered depending on ESR levels. Tx may be lifelong however.
How can you differentiate NAION from AION?
Lack of arteritis. Diagnosis of exclusion from AION.
List 5 features of NAION
Sudden painless vision loss [6/30]
RAPD
RG defect + red desaturation
VF: altitudinal (inf) or arcuate defect
Unilateral disc oedema
Where is unilateral disc oedema most marked in NAION?
superiorly
How long after unilateral disc oedema in NAION does optic atrophy ensue?
after 1-2 months
List 6 systemic associations with NAION
Arteriorsclerosis
DM
Hypertension
Hyperlipidemia
Anemia
Sleep apnoea
How would you manage NAION [4]
Monitor [no effective tx for NAION]
GP referral: check for systemic associations like CV/DM
Review 1 month
Council on risk to contralateral eye
What percentage of NAION patients show mild improvement in vision over 3-6 months?
Up to 40%
Which 3 classes of glaucoma drugs reduce IOP by reducing aqueous production?
CAIs
Beta Blockers
Alpha agonists
Which 2 classes of glaucoma drugs reduce IOP by increasing aqueous outflow? Which pathway does each use?
PGAs - via uveoscleral pathway
Pilocarpine - via uveoscleral pathway indirectly which outweighs reduction in outflow from tm pathway
How does angle recession occur?
ocular blunt force trauma can cause shearing forces that tear between the longitudinal and circular fibres of the ciliary muscle, causing the circular fibres to displace posteriorly along the iris root, causing angle recession
How does angle recession glaucoma occur?
the ocular blunt force trauma causes damage to trabecular meshwork, making it dysfunctional
Which class of glaucoma drop is contrainidcated in angle recession glaucoma? Why?
pilocrapine: causes a pardoxical IOP rise in some
Which classes of glaucoma drops are preferred in treating angle-recession glaucoma? [3]
Aqueous suppressants: CAIs, Beta Blockers, Alpha agonists
[*So something like timolol 0.5% QiD is a good choice here]
When can angle recession glaucoma occur post trauma?
Can be anytime from days to years later
Are argon laser trabeculectomy (ALT) and selective laser trabeculectomy (SLT) effective in treating patients with angle recession glaucoma? When will better responses occur?
Rarely. Better responses will occur when more of the TM is intact on gonio.
When max tolerated medical therapy fails to control IOP adequately in angle recession glaucoma, which filtering surgical option is ideal?
Trabeculectomy with antimetabolites
[Mermoud et al, 1994]
[https://glaucomatoday.com/articles/2012-may-june/clinical-approach-to-angle-recession-glaucoma]
How often are patients with angle recession typically monitored for development of glaucoma?
yearly, in the absence of other findings.
What can early onset angle recession gluacoma present alongside?
Iritis with or without hyphaema
[treat with topical steroids like aau]
How many mirrors should be open to PTM on gonio to be safe to dilate?
3 mirrors.
List 3 epidemiological risk factors for Optic Neuritis
Typically 20-45yo. F>M [2x]. Caucasian
List 5 systemic associations with Optic Neuritis
Infections
Multiple Sclerosis
Tumours/compressive lesions
Vascular diseases
Idiopathic
What is the main cause of retrobulbar neuritis?
Multiple Sclerosis
How often does multiple sclerosis cause retrobulbar neuritis?
75%
List 4 ocular signs of retrobulbar neuritis
RAPD
Orbital pain/pain with eye movement
Acute vision loss
Brightness/CV defects
After how many weeks of untreated retrobulbar neuritis, might a patient experience mild disc oedema? Why?
1-2 weeks. Due to axoplasmic stasis (doesn’t always happen)
After how many weeks of untreated retrobulbar neuritis, might a patient experience RNFL loss on OCT?
6-8 weeks
After how long of retrobulbar neuritis, might a patient experience optic atrophy?
3-6 months
What are the 2 main causes of papillitis?
GCA [beware bilateral spread]
MS
How does the presentation of papilitis differ from retrobulbar neuritis?
There’s also disc oedema [mostly swelling, few retinal haems]
Is neuroretinitis usually associated with multiple sclerosis?
No
What are the 2 main causes of neuroretinitis?
infectious
inflammatory
Is orbital pain always present in neuroretinitis?
No. It’s actually not as common compared to retro/papilitis
Can neuroretinitis present with a macula wing/star exudate?
Yes.
List 5 differential diagnosis for optic neuritis
Ischemic optic neuropathy
Acute papilloedema
Severe systemic hypertension
ON compression (tumour)
Intracranial mass
How do you perform the photostress test?
Hold light 2-3cm from patient’s eye [other eye occluded] for 10 seconds, then remove light.
– Ask patient to read line of best VA after central scotoma has disappeared. Time how long it takes to read at least 2/3rd of the line of their best VA.
What is an abnormal photostress test?
> 50 seconds = abnormal.
List what possible tests you can do for a patient with suspected optic neuritis (9)
VA
Screening [confrontation/HH/pupils/red cap
Lid ax/FAT: if lid protosis or ptosis present
Refraction/Ret
IOP
Ocular health
VIsual fields: 30-2?
Photostress test
OCT: check RNFL thinning
What eye movement condition is MS associated with? What percentage of patients may acquire this? Explain the condition.
~30% of MS patients may have INO [Internuclear Ophthalmoplegia]. INO: sluggish or absent contralateral adduction.
What type of evidence do you need to diagnose MS?
evidence of CNS damage that is “disseminated in time and space”
What tests are required for diagnosing multiple sclerosis (2)
MRI scans: for lesions
CSF-specific marker: needs lumbar puncture
Other than MS testing, what other referred tests might be considered in a patient with optic neuritis? (list 5)
CBC
ESR
ACE level
FTA-ABS
Chest x-ray or CT.
Should blood pressure be checked in a patient with optic neuritis?
yes
How often should you review a patient with optic neuritis?
Review 4-6 weeks after presentation, and then every 3-6 months thereafter
What is CDMS and who should patients at high risk of this be referred to?
Clinically Definitive Multiple Sclerosis. High risk patients should be referred to a neurologist for evaluation and mx of possible MS.
How can we treat MS? Does this improve final outcome?
IV Methyl pred. Hastens recovery but doesn’t improve final outcome
Why don’t we use oral pred for MS?
Oral pred increases the rate of recurrence of MS
What is the NHMRC target IOP for Ocular Hypertension (OHT)?
-20% or =24mmHg [whichever is less]
When would be an appropriate time to start treatment for OHT prior to seeing evidence of any glaucomatous damage?
There is no real consensus on the minimum IOP threshold for this. But generally IOPs >24* with a normal CCT is a good guide.
**In these cases, diurnal IOP should ideally be measured as well
At what time of day is IOP normally highest?
For most normal eyes the pressure is highest in the early morning between 6am and 8am.
At what time of day is IOP normally lowest?
Afternoon
Why does IOP vary throughout the day?
hormonal fluctuation
With what type of CCT value is IOP overestimated?
Thicker CCTs
Normal CCT value
555
What is the NHMRC target IOP for Early OAG?
-20% or = 18mmHg, whichever is less
What is the NHMRC target IOP for OAG [starting point] and Moderate OAG?
-25% or = 18mmHg, whichever is less
Should you write the target pressure in the management section of sunix/optomate for someone you have begun treating for glaucoma?
Yes, you should
What is the NHMRC target IOP for Advanced OAG [or high risk early/mod OAG]?
-30% or =12mmHg, whichever is less
What is the NHMRC target IOP for LTG [MD
-30% or =12mmHg, whichever is less
Describe the surgical treatment pathway for OAG (4)
SLT/MIGs –> Filtering sx + antimiotic –> aqueous shunt or cyclodestructive sx –> low vision care
Define papilloedema
bilateral optic disc swelling secondary to elevated intracranial pressure
List 3 potential causes of papilloedema
Intracranial tumour
Malignant hypertension [must always check for this]
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Define Malignant Hypertension
Diastolic blood pressure >120mmHg
What should you suspect if a young person presents with malignant hypertension?
Kidney failure.
How do you manage malignant hypertension? [and even if not malignant but DBP >110]
Immediate referral to ICU/emergency department for cardiac monitoring, urine analysis, and neurological status assessment.
What are 6 potential symptoms of elevated ICP associated with papilloedema?
Severe headaches
Nausea
Vomiting
Slight blur
Diplopia
Pulse-like ringing sound in ears
What are 4 additional tests you can do for a patient with papilloedema?
Blood pressure
VF [check for stroke/signs of cortical VF loss]
Refer to neuro for MRI + Lumbar puncture
What are 5 indications for urgent hospital referal in patients with papilloedema
Recent onset [within 1-2 months] with unusual headaches
Transient vision loss [<1min complete blackout]
EOM abnormality - diplopia
new related VF loss
Other new neuro problems like muscular paralysis, palsy, cognition issues
How can you treat pseudotumour cerebri? [3]
Weight loss +/- spinal tap
Oral diamox 250-500mg BiD for progressive vision loss on monitoring
Shunt surgery if still progressing on diamox
What is considered normotensive blood pressure?
<140/90
What is considered borerline high blood pressure?
140/90 - 160/95
What is considered primary hypertension?
> 160/95
What percentage of hypertensive cases are secondary to a renal or endocrine condition?
5%
List 8 systemic risk factors for hypertension/hypertensive retinopathy
duration of high bp
heart disease
atherosclerosis
diabetes
smoking
high cholesterol
overweight
fatty/sugary diet
How does grade 1 [minimal] hypertensive retinopathy present on fundus examination? [Keith-Wagener-Barker Classification]
Mild general retinal arteriolar narrowing [reduced AVR]
How does grade 2 [mild] hypertensive retinopathy present on fundus examination? (2)
Focal arteriolar narrowing + AV nipping
Potential “copper wiring” of arteriolar walls
How does grade 3 [moderate] hypertensive retinopathy present on fundus examination? (3)
G2 + any of the following:
Retinal Haems (mostly flame)
Exudates
CWPs
How does grade 4 [severe] hypertensive retinopathy present on fundus examination?
Severe G3 + OD swelling [a marker of “malignant” hypertension]
T/F: The increasing severity of hypertensive retinopathy makes it more likely that it is secondary to other issues
True
Rank the 4 most important fundus signs for detecting early hypertension
- Focal arteriolar constriction
- Vein occlusions
- Banking {particularly with shunt vessels]
- Atherosclerotic signs
When would you refer a hypertension suspect to the GP for blood pressure and systemic workup?
GP referral when signs of recent origin seen: haems, CWPs, papilloedema, RVO
(NB: also do ophthalm referral if needed)
What percentage of strokes are ischaemic vs haemorrhagic?
Ischemic: 80%
Haemorrhagic: 20%
Over what age do most strokes occur?
50 years old.