Ophthalmology Flashcards
Open Angle Glaucoma
what is a glaucoma
refers to the optic nerve damage that is caused by a significant rise in intraocular pressure
Open Angle Glaucoma
what is the raised intraocular pressure caused by in glaucomas
blockage in aqueous humour trying to escape the eye
Open Angle Glaucoma
the vitreous chamber of the eye is filled with ___
vitreous humour
where is the anterior chamber
between the cornea and the iris
where is the posterior chamber
between the lens and iris
the anterior and posterior chamber is filled with ___
aqueous humour which supplies nutrients to the cornea
what produces the aqueous humour
the ciliary body
describe the flow of aqueous humour
from the ciliary body
around the lens and under the iris
through the anterior chamber
through the trabecular meshwork
and into the canal of Schlemm
eventually entering the general circulation
what is the normal intraocular pressure
10-21 mmHg
how is intraocular pressure created
by the resistance to flow through the trabecular meshwork into the canal of Schlemm
Open Angle Glaucoma
pathophysiology
gradual increase in resistance through the trabecular meshwork
more difficult for aqueous humour to flow through the meshwork and exit the eye
pressure slowly builds within the eye and this gives a slow and chronic onset of glaucoma
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
pathophysiology
the iris bulges forward and seals off the trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber
preventing aqueous humour from being able to drain away
leading to a continual build-up of pressure
ophthalmology emergency
what causes cupping of the optic disc
increased pressure in the eye
what is in the centre of a normal optic disc
the optic cup, a small indent in the optic disc less than half the size of the optic disc
what is cupping
when there is raised intraocular pressure, the optic cup becomes larger as the pressure in the eye puts pressure on that indent making it wider and deeper
what is an abnormal optic cup size
greater than 0.5 the size of the optic disc
Open Angle Glaucoma
RFs (4)
- increasing age
- FH
- black ethnic origin
- myopia (short sighted)
Open Angle Glaucoma
presentation
- asymptomatic for a long period of time
- affects peripheral vision first
- gradually peripheral vision closes until they experience tunnel vision
- gradual onset of fluctuating pain
- headaches
- blurred vision
- halos appearing around lights esp at night
Open Angle Glaucoma
dx
routine screening when attending optometry for eye check
Non-contact tonometry
Open Angle Glaucoma
what is non-contact tonometry
the commonly used machine for estimating intraocular pressure by opticians
shoots a puff of air at the cornea and measures the corneal response to that air
Open Angle Glaucoma
what is Goldmann applanation tonometry
the gold standard way to measure introcular pressure
special device mounted on slit lamp that makes contact with the cornea and applies different pressures to the front of the cornea to get an accurate measurement of what the intraocular pressure is
Open Angle Glaucoma
dx and inx
Goldmann applanation tonometry: intraocular pressure
Fundoscopy: optic disc cupping and optic nerve health
Visual field assessment: peripheral vision loss
Open Angle Glaucoma
aim of mnx
reduce intraocular pressure
Open Angle Glaucoma
when is treatment started
when intraocular pressure is 24 mmHg or above
Open Angle Glaucoma
first line mnx
Prostaglandin analogue eye drops eg. latanoprost
Open Angle Glaucoma
how does latanoprost work
prostaglandin analogue eye drops increase uveoscleral outflow
Open Angle Glaucoma
prostaglandin analogue eye drop SEs eg. latanoprost
- eyelash growth
- eyelid pigmentation
- iris pigmentation (browning)
Open Angle Glaucoma
other mnx options apart from latanoprost
- BB e.g. timolol
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors e.g. dorzolamide
- sympathomimetics e.g. brimonidine
Trabeculectomy
Open Angle Glaucoma
how do BB work
reduce the production of aqueous humour
Open Angle Glaucoma
how do carbonic anhydrase inhibitors work
reduce the production of aqueous humour
Open Angle Glaucoma
how do sympathomimetics work
reduce the production of aqueous fluid and increase uveoscleral outflow
Open Angle Glaucoma
when is a trabeculectomy indicated
where eye drops are ineffective
Open Angle Glaucoma
what is involved in a trabeculectomy
creating a new channel from the anterior chamber, through the sclera to a location under the conjunctiva
it causes a ‘bleb’ under the conjunctiva where the aqueous humour drains
it is then reabsorbed from this bleb into the general circulation
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
cause
when the iris bulges forward and seals off the trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber, preventing aqueous humour from being able to drain away
continual build up of pressure in the eye, esp in the posterior chamber which causes pressure behind the iris and worsens the closure of the angle
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
RFs (5)
- increasing age
- 4F:1M
- FH
- Chinese + East Asian ethnic origin
- shallow anterior chamber
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
what medications can precipitate acute angle-closure glaucoma
- Adrenergics: noradrenalin
- Anticholinergics: oxybutynin + solifenacin
- TCA: amitriptyline, which have anticholinergic effects
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
presentation
- generally unwell in themselves
- severely painful red eye
- blurred vision
- halos around lights
- headache, N+V
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
examination findings (7)
- red eye
- teary
- hazy cornea
- decreased visual acuity
- dilatation of the affected pupil
- fixed pupil size
- firm eyeball on palpation
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
initial mnx
same day assessment by opthalmologist
while waiting for an ambulance:
- lie pt on their back without a pillow
- pilocarpine eye drops
- PO acetazolamide 500mg
- analgesia + antiemetic PRN
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
initial mnx: if blue eyes what % pilocarpine do you give
2%
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
initial mnx: if brown eyes what % pilocarpine do you give
4%
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
how does pilocarpine act?
Miotic agent: acts on the muscarinic receptors in the sphincter muscles in the iris and causes constriction of the pupil
also causes ciliary muscle contraction
these 2 effects cause the pathway for the flow of aq humour from the ciliary body, around the iris and into the trabecular meshwork to open up
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
how does Acetazolamide work
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.
This reduces the production of aq humour
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
secondary care mnx to reduce the pressure
- Pilocarpine
- Acetazolamide (oral or IV)
- Hyperosmotic agents: glycerol, mannitol
- Timolol
- Dorzolamide
- Brimonidine
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
how do hyperosmotic agents like glycerol or mannitol work
they increase the osmotic gR between the blood and fluid in the eye
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
how does Timolol work
BB: reduces production of the aq humour
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
how does Dorzolamide work
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor: reduces the production of aq humour
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
how does Brimonidine work
sympathomimetic: reduces the production of aq fluid and increases uveoscleral outflow
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
definitive trx
laser iridotomy
Acute Angle Close Glaucoma
what does laser iridotomy involve
using a laser to make a hole in the iris to allow the aq humour to flow from the posterior chamber into the anterior chamber
this relieves pressure that was pushing the iris against the cornea and allow the humour to drain
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what is it
a condition where there is degeneration in the macula that cause a progressive deterioration in vision
in the UK, what is the most common cause of blindness
Age Related Macular Degeneration
Age Related Macular Degeneration
key finding
drusen seen during fundoscopy
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what are the 2 types
wet (10%) - worse prognosis
and dry
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what are the 4 key layers of the macula
bottom: choroid layer
Bruch’s membrane
Retinal pigment epithelium
Top: photoreceptors
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what does the choroid layer of the macular contain
blood vessels that provide blood supply to the macula
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what are drunsen
yellow deposits of proteins and lipids that appear between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane
Larger and greater numbers of drusen can be an early sign of ____
macular degeneration
Age Related Macular Degeneration
common features of both wet and dry AMD (2)
- atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium
- degeneration of the photoreceptors
Age Related Macular Degeneration
pathophysiology of wet AMD
development of new vessels growing from the choroid layer into the retina
These vessels can leak fluid or blood and cause oedema and more rapid loss of vision
Age Related Macular Degeneration
name a key chemical that stimulates the development of new vessels
vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Age Related Macular Degeneration
RFs (5)
- age
- smoking
- white or chinese ethnicity
- FH
- CVS disease
Age Related Macular Degeneration
presentation (3)
- gradual worsening central visual field loss
- reduced visual acuity
- crooked or waxy appearance to straight lines
Age Related Macular Degeneration
difference in presentation of wet and dry AMD
wet is more acute
loss of vision over days and progress to full loss of vision over 2-3 years.
often progresses to bilateral disease.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
examination + inx findings
- Snellen chart: reduced acuity
- Scotoma: central patch of vision loss
- Amsler grid test: distortion of straight lines
- Fundoscopy: drusen
- Slit-lamp biomicroscopic fundus examination
- Optical coherence tomography
- Fluorescein angiography
Age Related Macular Degeneration
dx with what
Slit-lamp biomicroscopic fundus examination by a specialist
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what is Optical coherence tomography
a technique used to gain a cross-sectional view of the layers of the retina.
can be used to diagnose wet AMD.
Age Related Macular Degeneration
what is Fluorescein angiography
involves giving a fluorescein contrast and photographing the retina to look in detail at the blood supply to the retina
useful to show up any oedema and neovascularisation
used 2nd line to diagnose wet AMD
Age Related Macular Degeneration
mnx of dry AMD
refer to ophthalmologist
- Avoid smoking
- Control blood pressure
- Vitamin supplementation
Age Related Macular Degeneration
mnx of wet AMD
Anti-VEGF medications:
ranibizumab, bevacizumab and pegaptanib block VEGF and slow the development of new vessels
need to be started within 3m to be beneficial
Age Related Macular Degeneration
how often are Anti-VEGF medication injected
once a month injected directly into the vitreous chamber
Diabetic Retinopathy
what is it
condition where the blood vessels in the retina are damaged by prolonged exposure to high blood sugar levels
causing a progressive deterioration in the health of the retina
Diabetic Retinopathy
pathophysiology : hyperglycaemia leads to…
hyperglycaemia –> damage to retinal small vessels + endothelial cells
Diabetic Retinopathy
pathophysiology: increased vascular permeability leads to ….
leakage from blood vessels, blot haemorrhages and the formation of hard exudates (yellow/white deposits of lipids in the retina)
Diabetic Retinopathy
pathophysiology: damage to blood vessel walls lead to
microaneurysms: weakness in the wall causes small bulges
and venous beading: walls of the veins are no longer straight and parallel and look more like a string of beads or sausages
Diabetic Retinopathy
pathophysiology: damage to nerve fibres in the retina causes..
cotton wool spots: fluffy white patches formed on the retina
Diabetic Retinopathy
pathophysiology: what is intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IMRA)
where there are dilated and tortuous capillaries in the retina
these can act as a shunt between the arterial and venous vessels in the retina
Diabetic Retinopathy
pathophysiology: what is neovascularisation
when growth factors are released in the retina causing the development of new blood vessels
Diabetic Retinopathy
how can diabetic retinopathy be split into
- non-proliferative
- proliferative
- diabetic maculopathy
depending on whether new blood vessels have developed
Diabetic Retinopathy
mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
microaneurysms
Diabetic Retinopathy
moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- microaneurysms
- blot haemorrhages
- hard exudates
- cotton wool spots
- venous beading
Diabetic Retinopathy
severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
- blot haemorrhages + microaneurysms in 4 quadrants
- venous beading in 2 quadrants
- intraretinal microvascular abnormality (IMRA) in any quadrant
Diabetic Retinopathy
proliferative diabetic retinopathy (2)
- neovascularisation
- vitreous haemorrhage
Diabetic Retinopathy
diabetic maculopathy (2)
- macular oedema
- ischaemic maculopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy
complications (5)
- retinal detachment
- vitreous haemorrhage
- Rebeosis iridis
- Optic neuropathy
- Cataracts
Diabetic Retinopathy
complications: what are vitreous heamorrhages
bleeding into the vitreous humour
Diabetic Retinopathy
complications: what is Rebeosis iridis
new blood vessel formation in the iris
Diabetic Retinopathy
mnx
- laser photocoagulation
- anti-VEGF meds: ranibizumab, bevacizumab
- vitreoretinal surgery: keyhole surgery on the eye may be required in severe disease
Cataracts
what is it
where the lens becomes cloudy and opaque
this reduces visual acuity by reducing the light that enters the eye
Cataracts
what is the lens’ function
to focus light coming into the eye onto the retina at the back of they eye
Cataracts
what is the lens held in place by
suspensory ligaments attached to the ciliary body
Cataracts
how does the lens thicken
when the ciliary body contracts it releases tension on the suspensory ligaments and the lens thicken
Cataracts
how does the lens narrow
when the ciliary body relaxes it increases the tension in the suspensory ligaments and the lens narrows
Cataracts
how is the lens nourished
by the surrounding fluid, it doesn’t have a blood supply
Cataracts
how is congenital cataracts screened for
using the red reflex during the neonatal examination
Cataracts
RFs (6)
- increasing age
- smoking
- alcohol
- diabetes
- steroids
- hypocalcaemia
Cataracts
presentation
- usually asymmetrical
- very slow reduction in vision
- progressive blurring of vision
- change in colour of vision: colours more brown or yellow
- ‘starbursts’ can appear around lights esp at night
Cataracts
key sign
loss of the red reflex
Cataracts
mnx if symptoms are manageable
no intervention
Cataracts
mnx
cataract surgery
Cataracts
what does cataract surgery involve
drilling and breaking the lens into pieces, removing the pieces
then implanting an artificial lens into the eye
Cataracts
why might the pt still have poor visual acuity after cataract surgery
other pathology may be detected after surgery as cataracts can prevent the detection beforehand
Cataracts
what is a rare but serious complication of cataract surgery
Endophthalmitis
Cataracts
what is endophthalmitis
rare but serious complication of cataract surgery
inflammation of the inner contents of the eye, usually caused by infection
Cataracts
how can endophthalmitis be treated
with intravitreal antibiotics injected into the eye
Conjunctivitis
what is the conjunctiva
a thin layer of tissues that covers the inside of eyelids and the sclera of the eye
Conjunctivitis
what are the 3 types
- bacterial
- viral
- allergic
Conjunctivitis
presentation
- unilateral or bilateral
- red eyes
- bloodshot
- itchy or gritty sensation
- discharge from the eye
Conjunctivitis
does it cause pain, photophobia or reduced visual acuity?
NO
Conjunctivitis
how does bacterial conjunctivits present
purulent discharge
inflamed conjunctiva
worse in morning when eyes may be stuck together
starts in 1 eye and spread to other
Conjunctivitis
how does viral conjunctivitis present
clear discharge
other sx of a viral infection
tender preauricular lymph nodes
Ddx for painless red eye
- conjunctivitis
- episcleritis
- subconjunctival haemorrhage
Ddx for painful red eye
- glaucoma
- anterior uveitis
- scleritis
- corneal abrasions or ulceration
- keratitis
- foreign body
- traumatic or chemical injury
Conjunctivitis
mnx
usually resolves within 1-2w
good hygiene: avoid sharing towels, wash hands, avoid contacts, clean eyes with hot water
Conjunctivitis
when can antibiotic eye drops be considered
in bacterial conjunctivitis: chloramphenicol and fuscidic acid
Conjunctivitis
why do pts <1y need urgent ophthalmology review
neonatal conjunctivits can be associated with gonococcal infection
and can cause loss of sight and more severe complications such as pnuemonia
Conjunctivitis
what is allergic conjunctivitis caused by
contact with allergens
Conjunctivitis
what does allergic conjunctivitis present as
- swelling of conjunctival sac and eye lid
- significant watery discharge and itch
Conjunctivitis
trx for allergic conjunctivitis
oral or topical antihistamines
topical mast-cell stabiliser if chronic seasonal sx
Conjunctivitis
how do mast-cell stabiliser work
preventing mast cells releasing histamine
Anterior Uveitis
what is it
inflammation in the anterior part of the uvea
aka iritis
Anterior Uveitis
what does the uvea involve
- iris
- ciliary body
- choroid
Anterior Uveitis
what is the choroid
the layer between the retina and sclera all the way around the eye
Anterior Uveitis
pathophysiology
- inflammation and immune cells in the anterior chamber of the eye
- the anterior chamber of the eye becomes infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages
- usually caused by an autoimmune process but can be due to infection, trauma, ischaemia or malignancy
Anterior Uveitis
what causes floaters in the pt’s vision
inflammatory cells in the anterior chamber
Anterior Uveitis
what types are there
acute or chronic
Anterior Uveitis
difference between acute and chronic
chronic: more granulomatous (has more macrophages) and has a less severe and longer duration of symptoms, lasting >3m
Anterior Uveitis
what is acute anterior uveitis associated with
HLA B27 conditions:
- ankylosing spondylitis
- IBD
- Reactive arthritis
Anterior Uveitis
what is chronic anterior uveitis associated with
- sarcoidosis
- syphilis
- lyme disease
- TB
- herpes virus
Anterior Uveitis
presentation
- unilateral
- may occur with a flare of reactive arthritis
- dull, aching, painful red eye
- ciliary flush
- miosis
- photophobia
- pain on movement
- lacrimation
- abnormally shaped pupil
- hypopyon
Anterior Uveitis
what is ciliary flush
a ring of red spreading from the cornea outwards
Anterior Uveitis
what causes miosis
sphincter muscle contraction
Anterior Uveitis
what causes photophobia
ciliary muscle spasm
Anterior Uveitis
what causes an abnormal shaped pupil
posterior synechiae (adhesions) pulling the iris into abnormal shapes
Anterior Uveitis
what is hypopyon
a collection of WBCs in the anterior chamber, seen as a yellowish fluid collection settled in front of the lower iris with a fluid level
Anterior Uveitis
NICE guidelines on pts with potentially sight threatening causes of red eye
refer for same day assessmentt by ophthalmologist
full slit lamp assessment and intraocular pressures
Anterior Uveitis
trx choices
- steroids (PO, top, IV)
- cycloplegic-mydriatic meds: cyclopentolate or atropine eye drops
- immunosuppresants: DMARDS and TNF inhibitors
- laser therapy, cryotherapy, vitrectomy for severe cases
Anterior Uveitis
what does cycloplegic mean
paralysing the ciliary muscles
Anterior Uveitis
what does mydriatic mean
dilating the pupils
Anterior Uveitis
how do cyclopentolate and atropine work
antimuscarinics that block the action of iris sphincter muscles and ciliary body
these dilate the pupil and reduce pain associated with ciliary spasm by stopping the action of the ciliary body
Retinal Detachment
what is it
where the retina separates from the choroid underneath
usually due to a retinal tear that allows vitreous fluid to get under the retina and fill the space between the retina and choroid
Retinal Detachment
what makes it a sight-threatening emergency
the outer retina relies on the blood vessels of the choroid for its blood supply
Retinal Detachment
RFs(6)
- posterior vitreous detachment
- diabetic retinopathy
- trauma to the eye
- retinal malignancy
- older age
- FH
Retinal Detachment
presentation (3)
- peripheral vision loss. Often sudden and like a shadow coming across the vision
- blurred or distorted vision
- flashes and floaters
Retinal Detachment
presents with painless flashes and floaters. Mnx?
detailed assessment of retina to detect retinal tears or detachment
immediately refer to ophthalmology
Retinal Detachment
mnx of retinal tears
aim to create adhesions between the retina and choroid to prevent detachment
- laser therapy
- cryotherapy