Older Adult

Question 1

Macular degeneration

Answer 1

Loss of central vision, decline in visual acuity, dark spot in center of vision and straight lines appearing crooked or wavy
Risk factors: >50 years, Caucasian, smoking, hypertension, cardiovascular disease

Question 2

Cataracts

Answer 2

An opacity of crystalline lens. Commonly occurs from denaturation of lens protein caused by aging or trauma
Clinical findings: cloudy or blurred vision. Poor night vision and frequent prescription changes. Cloudy lense observable on inspection
*absent red reflex

Question 3

Glaucoma

Answer 3

Group of diseases characterized by an increase in IOP. Untreated it causes pressure to the optic nerve and leads to blindness 
Open-angle (most common) 
Closed-angle (sharp pain, halo) 
Congenital (cloudy pupil, red eye) 
Drug/medical condition induced

Question 4

Diabetic Retinopathy

Answer 4

Damage to the retinal capillaries leading to being blind due to diabetes
Early symptoms: floaters, blurriness, dark areas of vision

Question 5

Sensorineural (presbycussis) hearing loss

Answer 5

SNHL is caused by structural changes, disorders of the inner ear or problems with the auditory nerve
Accounts for 90% of hearing loss
Gradual and progressive bilateral deafness w/loss of high pitched tones

Question 6

Conductive hearing loss

Answer 6

Interference of air conduction to the middle ear. Can result from blockage of the external auditory canal (cerumen), problems with TM