Ophthalmology Flashcards
Describe the classic features of cataracts
Symptoms occur gradually over long period of time:
- Myopia (short-sightedness)
- Blurry vision -> visual loss
- Dazzling in sunshine/bright lights
Describe the causes/risk factors for cataracts
- Older age
- DM
- Steroids
- Congenital causes: rubella, Wilson’s
Describe the management of cataracts
Conservative:
- Glasses
- Mydriatic eyedrops
Surgical: if significant impact on life/driving
Describe the types of ophthalmologic investigations and their uses
- Visual acuity: Snellen chart
- Fundoscopy: visualise the retina eg. Dx/Ix papilloedema, retinopathy, retinal A/V occlusion
- Slit-lamp: Dx macular degeneration, retinal detachment, cataracts, corneal injury
- Tonometry: measures pressures in the eye eg. Dx glaucoma
Describe some conditions of the outer eye
- Stye/hordeolum: acute, tender, red swelling. Occurs in eyelash follicle.
- Chalazion: abscess of Meibomian glands. Not located on eyelash line. Deeper + larger.
- Blepharitis: swelling of the eyelid + conjunctival injection.
- Peri-orbital cellulitis: swelling of area surrounding eye without eye involvement
- Orbital cellulitis: swelling of deeper orbit w eye signs
List some causes of a red eye
Lid: chalazion, blepharitis, cellulitis
Conjunctiva: conjunctivitis, subconjunctival haemorrhage
Sclera: scleritis and episcleritis
Cornea: corneal abrasion, keratitis
Anterior chamber: uveitis, iritis, acute glaucoma
Describe some conditions affecting the conjunctiva
Conjunctivitis: bacterial, viral, allergic
Subconjunctival haemorrhage
Describe the classic presentation of conjunctivitis and relevant negative findings
Unilateral/bilateral eye discomfort, discharge, redness
- Sticky/purulent: bacterial eg. Staph, Strep, Haemophilus
- Watery: viral
NO change in acuity or pupil response, NO ciliary flush
Describe the management of conjunctivitis
Conservative:
-Hygiene
Medical:
- Bacterial: chloramphenicol eyedrops
- Allergic: antihistamines (PO or drops)
Describe some conditions affecting the sclera
Episcleritis: acute red eye without pain. Idiopathic, gout. Resolves spontaneously, can use topical NSAIDs
Scleritis: acute red eye VERY painful. Scleral oedema. Assoc with autoimmune disease. Needs systemic management eg steroids + NSAIDs
Describe some conditions affecting the cornea. How are they identified?
- Corneal abrasion: epithelial breach caused by trauma. Causes pain, photophobia, blurry vision. Give chloramphenical drops for prophylaxis.
- Corneal ulcer eg. HSV. Topical/PO aciclovir
- Keratitis: inflammation of cornea. Causes pain, photophobia, conjunctival injection + ciliary flush.
Slit-lamp with fluoroscein stain shows defects
What is the uvea?
Part of the eye including iris, ciliary body and choroid
Describe the presentation of uveitis/iritis
Acutely red eye: ciliary flush -Pain -Photophobia -Blurry vision -Pain on convergence (Talbot's test) \+ may be assoc with systemic diseases eg. IBD, RA
Describe the management of uveitis/iritis
Refer to ophthal
- Steroid eyedrops
- Cyclopentolate drops
Name the types of glaucoma and describe the pathophysiology
Two main types:
- Acute closed angle glaucoma: blocked flow of aqueous humour thru canal of Schlemm -> ^^ pressure
- Chronic open angle glaucoma: defect in trabecular meshwork gradually -> ^ pressures over time