Ophthalmology Flashcards
What is Glaucoma and is it caused by?
Glaucoma refers to the optic nerve damage that is caused by a significant rise in intraocular pressure. The raised intraocular pressure is caused by a** blockage in aqueous humour** trying to escape the eye.
There are two types of glaucoma: WHat are they?
There are two types of glaucoma: open-angle and closed-angle.
The vitreous chamber of the eye is filled with _______ _______
The vitreous chamber of the eye is filled with vitreous humour.
The anterior chamber between the ________ and the ____ and the posterior chamber between the ____ and the ____ are filled with aqueous humour that supplies nutrients to the cornea.
The anterior chamber between the cornea and the iris and the posterior chamber between the lens and the iris are filled with aqueous humour that supplies nutrients to the cornea.
The aqueous humour is produced by the
The aqueous humour is produced by the ciliary body.
The aqueous humour flows from the ciliary body, around the lens and under the iris, through the anterior chamber, through the ________ ____ and into the ___ __ _____. From the ____ ____ ____ it eventually enters the general circulation.
The aqueous humour flows 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. From the** canal of Schlemm** it eventually enters the general circulation.
The normal intraocular pressure is ___ ___ mmHg.
he normal intraocular pressure is 10-21 mmHg.
How is normal intraocular pressure created
This pressure is created by the resistance to flow through the trabecular meshwork into the canal of Schlemm.
What is the patho of open angle glucoma
In open-angle glaucoma, there is a **gradual increase in resistance through the trabecular meshwork. **This makes it more difficult for aqueous humour to flow through the meshwork and exit the eye. Therefore the pressure slowly builds within the eye and this gives a slow and chronic onset of glaucoma.
= increase in resistance in the trabecular meshwork
= increased intracocular pressure
What is the patho of acute angle-closure glaucoma
In acute angle-closure glaucoma, the** iris bulges forward** and seals off the trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber preventing aqueous humour from being able to drain away. This leads to a continual build-up of pressure. The pressure builds up particularly in the posterior chamber, which causes pressure behind the iris and worsens the closure of the angle.
TRUE OR FALSE
acute angle-closure glaucoma is an opthalmology emergency
TRUE
What is cupping
Increased pressure in the eye causes cupping of the optic disc. In the centre of a normal optic disc is the optic cup. This is a small indent in the optic disc. It is usually less than half the size of the optic disc. When there is raised intraocular pressure, this indent becomes larger as the pressure in the eye puts pressure on that indent making it wider and deeper. This is called “cupping”
What is an abnormal size for optic cup?
An optic cup greater than 0.5 the size of the optic disc is abnormal.
RF for GLucoma
- Increasing age
- Family history
- Black ethnic origin
- Nearsightedness (myopia)
Presentation of Open-Angle Glaucoma
Often the rise in intraocular pressure is** asymptomatic** for a long period of time. It is diagnosed by routine screening when attending optometry for an eye check.
It can present with gradual onset of fluctuating pain, headaches, blurred vision and halos appearing around lights, particularly at night time.
Glaucoma affects ________ vision first. Gradually the ________ vision closes in until they experience ____ vision.
Glaucoma affects peripheral vision first. Gradually the peripheral vision closes in until they experience tunnel vision.
How can you measure intracular Pressure
Non-contact tonometry
Goldmann applanation tonometry
What is Non-contact tonometry
Non-contact tonometry is the commonly used machine for estimating intraocular pressure by opticians. It involves shooting a “puff of air” at the cornea and measuring the corneal response to that air. It is less accurate but gives a helpful estimate for general screening purposes.
What is Goldmann applanation tonometry
Goldmann applanation tonometry is the gold standard way to measure intraocular pressure. This involves a special device mounted on a slip 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.
Diagnosis of open angle glaucoma
Goldmann applanation tonometry can be used to check the intraocular pressure.
Fundoscopy assessment to check for optic disc cupping and optic nerve health.
**Visual field assessment **to check for peripheral vision loss.