Ophthalmology Flashcards
Simply conjunctivitis does not usually require a specialist referral unless one or more of what three features occur?
- Symptoms do not abate for more than two weeks
- The eye becomes painful
- Vision decreases
How is bacterial conjunctivitis usually treated?
Topical broad-spectrum antibiotics e.g. chloramphenicol
What are some features of gonnococcal conjunctivitis?
Rapid onset
Copious amounts of discharge
Chemosis (conjunctival oedema)
Lid oedema
Describe the clinical course of viral conjunctivitis?
Self-limiting
What precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of conjunctivitis? Why is so much care required?
Conjunctivitis is very contagious
Strict hygiene and separate towel use from other family members while the eye is still red.
What is the function of the sclera?
Thick, protective membrane forming the outer coat of the eyeball (white of the eye)
What is the function of the cornea?
Transparent dome-shaped anterior portion of the outer covering of the eye. Provides the eye with its refractive power
What is the function of the conjunctiva?
Richly vascular mucous membrane covering the anterior surface of the sclera and reflected onto the undersurface of the eyelids
What is the function of the anterior chamber of the eye?
Contains aqueous humour (produced by the ciliary body and drained via the canal of Schlemm) providing nutrients and oxygen to the cornea
What is the function of the iris?
Coloured part of the eye, muscles regulate the size of the pupil and thus the amount of light entering the eye.
What is the function of the lens?
Transparent biconvex disc which changes shape in order to alter the refractive power of the eye
What is the function of the retina?
Contains two types of photoreceptors:
- Cones (provide colour vision and are confined mainly to the central macula)
- Rods (providing night/low-light vision)
What is the area in the centre of the macula called? What is its function?
Fovea
Highest density of cone photoreceptors - meaning the central vision is the most acute
What types of visual field anomaly is present during a migraine?
Temporary blurring or “zig-zag” lines
What is amaurosis fugax?
Severe temporary visual loss due to a transient lack of blood supply to the retina or visual cortex - commonly occuring due to TIA
What is the occurence of amaurosis fugax considered a “warning sign” of?
Impending blindness of stroke
What feautes of a history would indicate conjunctival infection?
Often bilateral diffuse redness Itchy Gritty Purulent discharge No pain Normal acuity
What feautes of a history would indicate subconjunctival haemorrhage?
May occur after rubbing eye, severe coughing or hypertension
Unilateral bright red area
Normal acuity
What is subconjunctival haemorrhage?
Bleeding between the sclera and conjunctiva
What is episcleritis?
Inflammation of the episclera causing mild irritation and redness of the eye
No change in acuity
What feautes of a history would indicate keratitis?
History - paini, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, photophobia
Reduced acuity
Maximal redness around the cornea
What complication of keratitis could occur that may be difficult to identify? How would you go about observing it?
Corneal ulceration
More easily visible with fluouriscien drops and blue light
What is acute glaucoma?
Sudden and severe rise in intraocular pressure due to reduced aqueous fluid drainage
What features of a history would indicate acute (closed-angle) glaucoma?
- Sudden onset of severe pain with diffuse redness
- Blurred vision
- “Halos around lights”
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fixed and dilated pupils
What is endopthalmitis?
Infection of the eyeball following eye surgery, injury of spread via the blood
List some conditions characterised by a gradual loss of vision
(6)
Optic Atrophy Chronic glaucoma Cataracts Diabetic retinopathy Macular degeneration Chronic retinal detachment
What two infections seen in developing countries can cause visual loss?
Chlamydia trachomatis
Onchocerciasis (river blindness)
List some conditions can cause sudden/rapid visual loss
6
Acute retinal detachment Retinal vein occlusion Retinal artery occlusion Acute optic neuropathy Vitreous haemorrhage "Wet" Age-related macular degeneration
What examination findings would support a diagnosis of acute retinal detachment?
Pupil in affected eye dilates in response to light (relative afferent pupillary defect, RAPD)
Abnormal red-reflex: Retina looks grey and wrinkled
What examination findings would support a diagnosis of retinal vein occlusion?
Retinal haemorrhages
Tortuous dilated veins
Macular oedema
Cotton wool spots (infarct)
What examination findings would support a diagnosis of retinal artery detachment?
Pale retina with central macular “cherry red spot”
What progressive neurological condition is most strongly associated with acute optic neuropathy?
Multiple sclerosis
What features of the history/examination indicate age-related macular degeneration?
History - sudden distortion or blurring of vision with central scotoma (central loss of vision)
Examination - macular oedema and/or subretinal haemorrhages
What patients groups are most at risk of developing chronic (open-angle) glaucoma?
Those with a positive family history Elderly Diabetes mellitus Myopic patients Black race
What medical treatment options are available to patients with glaucoma?
Beta-blocker eye drops (decrease aqueous humour production)
Alpha-adrenergic agonists (decrease aqueous humour production)
Prostaglandin analogues (improve humour drainage)
What surgical options are available to treat glaucoma?
Laser surgery - induces changes in trabecular networks allowing better drainage of aqueous humour
Trabeculectomy - creates an opening in the anterior chamber
What is accommodation?
Changing of the lens shape to focus near objects using the ciliary muscles
What is acuity?
A measure of how well the eye can see a small object
What is amblyopia?
Decreased acuity uncorrectable by lenses with no anatomical defect
What is an Amsler grid?
Test chart of intersecting lines useful in the diagnosis of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) - line distortion in the middle (central scotoma) is the key feature
What is anisocoria?
Unequal pupil size
What is anisometropia?
The state of having different refractive defects in each eye
What is aphakia?
The state of having no lens (i.e. after removal in cataract surgery)
What is blepharitis?
Inflammed eyelids
What are the canthi?
Singular canthus. The medial or lateral angles made by open eyelids
What is chemosis?
Oedema of the conjunctiva