Ophtho 3 Flashcards
What is the leading cause of blindness in the world?
cataracts
What are cataracts? Are they normally bilateral or unilateral?
Opacity to the natural lens of the eye
often bilateral
Types of cataracts? Most common?
Age related (senile)
congenital
traumatic
medication related
Senile are most common
Risk factors for cataracts?
sun exposure
cigarette smoking
meds- steroids
What would a pt complain of if they had cataracts? What would you see on PE?
Symptoms: gradual chronic painless loss of vision complain of glare especially at night
PE: decrease visual acuity decreased color vision opalescent changes to lens abnormal or absent red reflex as cataracts mature, ophthalmic exam if retina is blurred
Tx of cataracts
- Ophthalmology referral if lifestyle is affected
- prescription glasses
- cataract extraction surgery
What is nystagmus?
A rhythmic regular oscillation of the eyes
Describe the types (movement patterns) of nystagmus and which is most common
Jerk nystagmus:
most common
alternating phases of slow drift in one direction with a corrective quick “jerk” in the opposite direction
Pendular nystagmus:
slow, sinusoidal, “pendular” oscillations to and fro
Causes of nystagmus
congenital intoxication metabolic derangements infections tumors
What might a pt complain of if they have nystagmus?
possible decreased visual acuity
notice eye “shimmering” or “shaking”
Tx of nystagmus
Sometimes there is no tx required
- medication (baclofen, gabapentin)
- botulimun injections (botox)
- prism lenses
- sugery (Kestenbaum muscle surgery)
What is stabismus?
any anomaly in the alignment of the eyes
What is esotropia, exotropia, hypertropia?
esotropia- crossing
exotropia- wandering
hypertropia- vertical misalignments
Risk factors for strabismus? how much of the population if affected?
- positive fam hx
- low birth weight (prematurity)
- neurologic complications (cerebral palsy)
- low vision
4% of the population
What are complications of strabismus?
disturbs binocular vision
increases risk of developing amblyopia
