ocular conditions Flashcards
what is uveitis?
symptoms
causes
therapy
An inflammation (swelling) of the middle layer of the eye, called the uvea or uveal tract.
SYMPTOMS
aching, painful, red eye
small pupil, irregular outline.
blurred vision
eye looks cloudy
Headaches
Light sensitivity
causes
cause remains unclear
inflammation of the uvea (inside of eye) and/or iris
affects mainly children and young adults.
often associated with trauma or autoimmune response
typical therapy
Treatment for uveitis will depend on which areas of the eye are affected and what caused the condition.
- Corticosteroid eye drops
(e.g. dexamethasone)
- Corticosteroid injections
- Mydriatic eye drops
(e.g. atropine sulfat
what is blepharitis
symptoms
causes
therapy
Chronic inflammation of the eyelids
symptoms
itchy, sore red eyelids
eyelids stick together, problems opening eyes on waking
crusty eyelashes
burning, gritty sensation in the eyes,
photophobia
abnormal eyelash growth/eyelash loss
causes :
Sebaceous glad dysfunction
leading to/caused by:
staphylococcal infection
infestation of lice or demodex mites
allergic reaction e.g. mascara
fungal infection
viral infection (rare)
typical therapy:
Most people experience repeated episodes, separated by periods without symptoms
Daily eyelid-cleaning routine can help control the symptoms
More severe cases may require antibiotics that are either applied topically, or taken orally.
what is stye (external hordeolum)
symptoms
causes
typical therapy
A small, painful lump on the inside or outside of the eyelid
symptoms
swollen/’lumpy’ eyelid
redness
swelling and tenderness lasting several days
often a white ‘head’ in centre of swelling
causes
acute staphylococcal infection of the sebaceous glands
in-growing eyelash
can be associated with blepharitis
recurrent in diabetics
positive correlation with stress
typical therapy
Most styes get better without treatment within a few days or weeks.
Topical antibiotics
what is conjunctivitis
different types of conjunctivitis
symptoms
causes
typical therapy
An inflammation of the conjunctiva
bacterial, allergic, chlamydial
symptoms
Bilateral/Unilateral
Sudden onset (seasonal)
Reddening of the eyes
Itchy eyes
Watering eyes
Swollen eyelids
Soreness
causes
pollen (hay fever)
dust mites
make up
animal fur
eye drops
unclean contact lens
bacterial/viral
typical therapy
Conjunctivitis often doesn’t require treatment as the symptoms usually clear up within a couple of weeks
Allergic conjunctivitis: azelastine hydrochloride eye drops
Infective conjunctivitis: chloramphenicol or
fusidic acid
what is keratitis
An inflammation of the cornea
symptoms
eyelid oedema
conjunctival inflammation
discharge
corneal ulceration
‘pink eye
causes
bacterial (contact lenses, trauma)
viral (Herpes simplex)
fungal (Candida)
parasitic (Acanthamoeba) pools, hot tubs, contact lens solution
most common cause of blindness
typical therapy
-Depending on the severity of the infection, an oral antibiotic may be prescribed along with an antibiotic ointment or eye drops
-Antiseptic drops, including Chlorhexidine, Brolene or Hexamidine, which have an anti-amoebic effect
what is ectropion
symptoms
causes
typical therapy
A condition in which eyelid turns outward
symptoms
Permanently watery eye
Eyelid sags away from the eye
Exposure of conjunctival surface
Exposure of corneal surface
Decreased vision
Ocular surface pain
causes
weak muscles around the eyes (associated with old age)
Injury to the skin around the eyes
Bell’s palsy (also known as facial palsy)
Congenital (genetic) defect
typical therapy
Mild cases may not need any treatment
In more severe cases, an operation to correct the problem will probably be recommended
what is exophthalmos (proptosis)
symptoms
causes
treatment
An abnormal protrusion of the eyeball
symptoms
eyelids forced apart
staring expression
impaired eye movement
double/blurred vision
dry and itchy eyes
causes
increase in the volume of tissue behind the eyes
Associated with hyperthyroidism
Hereditary disease (Grave’s)
infection of the sinuses (in children)
protrusion of one eye likely caused by cyst, cancer, brain tumour or blood clot
therapy
If exophthalmos is being caused by thyroid eye disease, the following treatments are often helpful:
- medication to correct the level of thyroid hormones in your blood
- corticosteroid medication given intravenously
- corrective surgery – this may be carried out to improve the appearance of your eyes once the inflammation is under control
what is cataracts?
symptoms
causes
risk factors
treatment
A clouding of the lens in the eye
symptoms
Blurred, cloudy and/or misty vision
Gradual visual deterioration
Age- and environment-related
Discomfort in bright light
Colours appear faded
Reading, watching TV more difficult than used to be
Glasses becoming less effective
causes
Protein aggregation in lens
Eye injury
Diabetes
Uveitis
risk factors:
Smoking
Overexposure to sunlight
Steroids for long time
therapy
Surgery is the only type of treatment that’s proven to be effective for cataracts
what is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye syndrome)
symptoms
causes
treatment
A decreased tear production or increased tear film evaporation
symptoms
ocular irritation (dryness, grittiness, soreness)
typically bilateral presentation
worsens through the day
redness of eyes
Complications: scarring, conjunctivitis, light sensitivity, corneal thinning
causes
environmental factors
concomitant illness
hormonal changes
ageing
loss of tear fluid (defects in: lacrimal gland, meibomian gland, eyelid, cornea, tear ducts
therapy
Ocular lubricants (e.g. eye drops with Carbomers® or hydroxyethylcellulose)
what is glaucoma
symptoms
causes
treatment
A group of eye diseases which result in damage to the optic nerve and vision loss
symptoms
Largely asymptomatic due to slow onset, age-related
Impairment of peripheral vision
Hazy or blurred vision
The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights
Severe eye and head pain
Nausea or vomiting (accompanying severe eye pain
Sudden sight loss.
causes
trigger(s) unknown
Glaucoma is related to the damage of the optic nerve usually associated with excessive pressure within the eye
This excessive intraocular pressure is caused by misbalance in production and drainage in the aqueous humour
trabecular meshwork progressively impaired/blocked
treatments
Prostaglandin analogues (increase the flow of fluid (aqueous humour) out of your eye, which reduces the pressure within your eye (the intraocular pressure); - lantonoprost
Beta-blockers (reduce intraocular pressure by slowing down the production of aqueous humour in your eye); - timiolol maleate
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (reduce the amount of aqueous humour produced in your eye, which reduces intraocular pressure); brinzolamide
Sympathomimetics (reduce the rate of production of aqueous humour and increase the flow of aqueous humour out of the eyes); - brimonidine tartrate
Miotics (work by opening up the blocked trabecular meshwork, which should improve the drainage of aqueous humour out of your eye) - pilocarpine hydrochlride
what are the types of glaucoma?
Open-Angle Glaucoma
most common (~90 %); slow clogging of the drainage canals;
develops slowly; a lifelong condition
Angle-Closure Glaucoma
blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure;
develops very quickly
what is the risk factors of glaucoma
Age: primary open angle glaucoma is more common with increasing age (over 40);
Blood pressure: people with low blood pressure have a greater risk;
Race: People of African or Afro-Caribbean origin are at increased risk of developing chronic open-angle glaucoma and people of Asian origin are at increased risk of developing acute angle-closure glaucoma
Family history: people with close relatives with glaucoma are at increased risk
Short sight or long sight: people who are short-sighted (myopia) are more likely to develop chronic open-angle glaucoma
Medical history: people with diabetes may be at increased risk of developing glaucoma
what is acute injury
symptoms
causes
(foreign body/corneal scratch)
symptoms
Dry eye sensation
Sensation of “foreign body”
Appearance usually normal with some associated redness
Excessive tear production
causes
superficial trauma (scratch)
fingernails
working with power tools
sand, grit, mud
what is diabetic retinopathy
symptoms
causes
therapies
A damage that occurs to the retina due to diabetes
symptoms
Few, if any, early warning signs
Early stages only detectable by fundus photography
Early stages: Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Later stages: vessels proliferate and vision deteriorates
causes
Microvascular changes due to poor control of blood sugar lead to degeneration of vascular walls
Affects 80% of patients with diabetes for >10 years
90% of cases are preventable if monitored and treated correctly
therapies
-laser treatment
-intravitreal injections or intravitreal implant with fluocinolone acetonide
(corticosteroid)
-an operation to remove blood or scar tissue
what is Subconjunctival haemorrhage
symptoms
causes
treatment
A bleeding underneath the conjunctiva
symptoms
blood from burst blood vessel covers surface of the eyeball
Blood not in eyeball itself
Initial pain disappears quickly
No change in vision
causes
-mild physical trauma
therapy
No treatment is needed in the absence of infection or significant trauma
