Ophthamology

Question 1

What is the clinical importance of aqueous humor drainage in glaucoma?

Answer 1

raised intra-ocular pressure is caused by imbalance between rate of secretion and removal of aqueous humor

Question 2

What treatment can reduce intraocular pressure when it starts to cause glaucoma?

Answer 2

• Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: reduce aqueous humor production

Question 3

what are 2 examples of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Answer 3

• Dorzolamide: administered as eye drops, nos systemic side effects
• Acetazolamide: oral administration, SE: acidosis, as it also targets kidney

Question 4

What is the clinical importance of iridocorneal angle in terms of glaucoma and aqueous humor drainage? (ie, open and close angle glaucoma)

Answer 4

• open-angle glaucoma: allows aqueous humor drain out of eye but drainage channels might clog over time-> increased eye pressure and damage to the optic nerve
• closed-angle glaucoma: prevent the aqueous humor from draining out of the eye->sudden increase in eye pressure, painful and damage optic nerve quickly.