Ophthalmology Flashcards
What are some signs of eye pain?
Blepharospasm (increased blink rate)
Reduced palpebral fissure (blink/wink)
Ocular discharge / epiphora
Hyperaemia (redness)
Photophobia
Miosis (small pupil)
Third eyelid protrusion
Head-shy/self-trauma
How should we triage ocular patients?
Systemic signs e.g. reduced appetite, subdued/depressed, lethargic
Brief description of ocular signs
Onset and duration
Be careful - owners cannot always identify pain or severity accurately
How can we manage ophthalmic pain?
Medical options - topical and systemic
Surgical options
Treat the cause!
How should we handle ophthalmic patients for examination?
Assess temperament
Keep steady and calm
Hold at end of table
Reward and reassure
Nurse restraint!
What are some causes of vision loss?
Cataracts - inherited or diabetic
Glaucoma - primary inherited / secondary to intraocular neoplasia, uveitis, lens luxation
SARDS (sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome)
Toxins - ivermectin, enrofloxacin
PRA (progressive retinal atrophy)
Why do we need to treat ulcers?
Pain
Infection risk
Risk of keratomalacia (melting)
Perforation, endophthalmitis, glaucoma, phthisis, blindness
What are the classifications of ulcers?
By depth of stroma affected
Superficial
Deep
Descemetocoele
Perforation
What post-op care should we provide for ophthalmic patients?
Harness walks, no jugular samples (raised IOP)
Buster collar to prevent self trauma
Recognise, monitor and treat pain
Administer eye medications
Keep wounds clean and dry
Keep patient calm
What traumas are an ocular emergency?
Sharp trauma
Blunt trauma
Proptosis (eyelids trapped behind globe)
Penetrating FBs
What are our priorities with ocular emergencies?
Cardiovascular stability - ABC
Analgesia
Ocular surface support - lubrication
Prevent further trauma, stabilise any FBs and use Buster collar
Stabilise, assess, plan, treat
Describe a cat claw injury.
Puppies develop menace response at 8-12 weeks, meets defensive cat
Corneal laceration
Lens puncture / capsular tear
Cataract formation
Induction of lens-induced uveitis
How can we treat cat claw injuries?
Cataract surgery with phaecoemulsification
Corneal laceration repair
Medical treatment of uveitis
Describe uveitis.
Trauma causes inflammation in eye
Blood-ocular barrier breakdown = uveitis
Inflammation damages delicate structures
Systemic disease can cause uveitis
Urgent treatment needed once recognised
Describe glaucoma.
Blue cornea, red sclera and conjunctiva
Blindness in 24-48hrs, pain
Chronic = globe stretched/enlarged, remains in normal position within orbit
Can be post-op complications after cataract surgery
High IOP (>30mmHg)
What can cause retrobulbar masses and exophthalmos?
FB could go into orbit and cause retrobulbar abscess/cellulitis
Recent dental work - elevator slip trauma
Stick injuries from chewing/running into
What are the signs of retrobulbar masses and exophthalmos?
Pain on opening mouth
Exophthalmic eye (pushed forward)
Excessive conjunctiva visible esp. 3rd eyelid