Ophthalmology Flashcards
What is acute closed angle glaucoma ?
In Acute closed angle glaucoma, it is often caused by a blockage in aqueous humor trying to escape the eye. The iris bulges forward and seals off trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber preventing aqueous humor from being able to drain away. Pressure builds up mainly in the posterior chamber. Ophthalmological emergency.
How does acute angle closure glaucoma present ?
- Severe painful red eye
- Blurred vision
- nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Sudden and short history
- Halos around lights
What will be present on examination in patients with acute angle closure glaucoma ?
- Red eye
- Teary
- Hazy cornea
- Decreased visual acuity
- Firm eyeball on palpation
- Hyperaemia
- Fixed dilated pupil
What will occur to the pupil in acute angle closure glaucoma ?
Fixed dilated pupil
What are the risk factors for acute closed angle glaucoma ?
- Increasing age
- Females
- FHX
- Chinese and east Asian ethnic origin
- Shallow anterior chamber
- Adrenergic medications– Noradrenalin
- Anticholinergics– Oxybutynin
- TCAs like amitriptyline and glasses (positive glasses prescription = hypermetropic/long sighted)
What vision problems are at a higher risk of developing acute angle closure glaucoma ?
+ perscription
- Hypermetropic (long sighted)
What investigation can be undertaken to confirm diagnosis of acute angle closure glaucoma ?
- Goldmans tonometry to measure the IOP
What is the definitive management of acute angle closure glaucoma ?
peripheral laser iridectomy. Usually performed bilaterally as the other eye is at risk
In AACG, why is peripheral laser iridectomy performed bilaterally ?
As the other eye is at risk
What can be given in hospital to a patient presenting with AACG ?
Patients should be started on BB ( to reduce aq production, pilocarpine (to increase uvoscleral outflow) and IV acetazolamide to constrict the pupil and increase trabecular outflow . In primary care before referral, they can give patients topical pilocarpine in order to constrict the pupil and increase trabecular outflow
A patient presents to A and E with suspected AACG, what is the management ?
- Topical pilocarpine and IV acetazolamide and BB potentially
- Urgent refferal to opthalmology
How does CRAO present ?
- Sudden, painless loss of vision.
- Relative afferent pupillary defect
What is a RAPD
– Pupil in the affected eye constricts more when light is shone in the other eye compared to the affected eye.
How to diagnose CRAO ?
Fundoscopy ?
What will be present on fundoscopy in CRAO ?
- Pale retina
- Cherry red spot
How is CRAO managed ?
- Immediate referral to ophthalmology
- Occular massage, IV acetazolomide to remove fluid from the anterior chamber to reduce IOP
- Inhalation of carbogen to dilate artery
How is CRAO managed long term ?
- Treating reversible RF like GCA and cardiovascular disease
- GCA – Testing with ESR and temporal artery biopsy and treatment is with high dose steroids.
What are the most common causes of CRAO ?
GCA and atheroscleroscleoris
What are the risk factors for CRAO ?
- Atherosclerosis (carotid bruits)
- Hypertension
- AF
- Smoking
- hyperlipidaemia/hypercholesterolaemia
-APLS
What is anterior uveitis ?
Inflammation of the anterior uvea (choroid, ciliary body and choroid). Anterior chamber of the eye becomes infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages. Caused by an autoimmune process.
What group of conditions is anterior uveitis associated with ?
HLA B27 genes
What conditions is anterior uveitis associated with ?
- Acute – HLA B27 (AS, bechets, Reactive arthritis) as well as MS, SLE, IBD granulomatosis and polyangiitis.
- Chronic – Sarcoidosis, syphilis, Lyme disease, TB, HZV
- Can also be associated with Trauma, infection, ischemia or malignancy.
How does anterior uveitis present ?
- Unilateral and spontaneous
- PMH of one of the associated conditions
- Dull aching painful red eye
- Worsens over days
- Floaters and flashes
- Photophobia
-Pain on movement
What is present on examination in patients with anterior uveitis ?
- Miosis
- Cilary flush
- Pupil irregularity
- Increased lacrimation
- Hypopyon
- RED
- Cloudy Aqueous humour and inflammatory proteins
How is anterior uveitis managed initially ?
- Cycloplegic mydriatic drops- Dilation of the pupil.
- Corticosteroids - initially hourly regime
- Analgesia
Urgent ophthalmology refferal and investigation of underlying cause
How can chronic uveitis be managed ?
systemic steroid sparing immunosuppressants like methotrexate.