Ophthalmology 6 - Cataracts Flashcards
cataracts occur when
lens becomes cloudy and opaque
reduces visual acuity
lens anatomy
held in place suspensory ligaments attached to ciliary body
risk factors for cataracts
old age smoking alcohol diabetes steroids low calcium
presentation of cataracts
usually asymmetrical
loss of red reflex!!
very slow vision reduction
progressive blurring
change in colour vision (browning)
starbursts appear around lights at night time
summary comparison of cataracts vs glaucoma vs macular degen
cataracts cause general reduction in visual acuity with starbursts around lights
glaucoma causes peripheral loss of vision with halos around lights
macular degen causes central loss of vision with crooked appearance of straight lines
management of cataracts
may need monitoring only
cataract surgery - destroy old lens and put in false lens
may not fix acuity if other underlying pathology that was obscured by old lens
key complication of cataract surgery
endophthalmitis
rare
infection of inner contents of eye
intravitreal abx needed
