Opthalmology Flashcards
What is glaucoma and what are the two types?
Optic nerve damage caused by a significant rise in intraocular pressure
The raised intraocular pressure is caused by a blockage in aqueous humour trying to leave the eye
Open angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma
Describe the two chambers of the eye
Vitrous chamber - contains vitreous humour
Anterior chamber - between cornea and iris
Posterior humour - between lens and iris
Both anterior and posterior chambers contain aqueous humour which is produced by the ciliary bodies
What is the function of the aqueous humour
Supply nutrients to the cornea
Describe the journey of the aqueous humour from production to exiting the eye
Produced in the ciliary body
Flows around the lens and under the iris through the anterior chamber, through the trabecular meshwork and into the canal of schlemm m from the canal of schlemm it eventually enters the general circulation
What is the normal introcular pressure
10-21mmHg
What causes increased intraocular pressure in open angle glaucoma
Gradual increased resistance to flow through the trabecular meshwork into the canal of schlemm
What happens in acute angle closure glaucoma
The iris bulges forward and seals off the trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber and prevents aqueous humour being able to drain away
This leads to a continual build up of pressure especially in the posterior chamber which causes pressure behind the iris and worsens the closure of the angle
What is seen on fundoscopy in cases of increased intraocular pressure
Cupping of the optic disc
Optic cup greater than 0.5 the size of the optic disc is abnormal
List some risk factors for open angle glaucoma
Increasing age
Black
Myopia - near sightedness
FH
How does open angle glaucoma present
Asymptomatic
Peripheral vision loss - tunnel vision
Fluctuating pain, headaches, blurred vision
Haloes around lights at night time
How is open angle glaucoma diagnosed
Non-contact tonometry - puff of air, not much response is positive for glaucoma
Goldmann applanation tonometry - gold standard, machine with slit lamp that apples different pressures to cornea
Fundoscopy - cupping
Visual field assessment - peripheral field loss
How is open angle glaucoma managed
Reduced IO pressure
Prostaglandin analogue eye drops (latanoprost) - increase uveoscleral outflow
Beta blockers (timolol) - reduce the production of aqueous humour
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (dorzolamide) - reduce production of aqueous humour
Sympathomimetics (brimonidine) - reduce the production of aqueous humour and increase uveoscleral outflow
Trabeculectomy - create a new channel from anterior chamber through the sclera to a location under the conjunctiva it causes a bleb and the conjunctiva where the aqueous humour drains and is then reabsorbed into general circulation
Give the side effects of prostaglandin analogue eye drops such as latanoprost
Eyelash growth, eyelid pigmentation and iris pigmentation (browning)
What are some risk factors of acute angle closure glaucoma
Increasing age
Females (4X more often than males)
FH
Chinese and east Asian ethnic origin
Shallow anterior chamber - long sightedness
Medication - adrenergic (noradrenalin), anticholinergic (oxybutynin and Solifenacin), tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline)
How do patients with acute angle closure glaucoma present
Severely painful red eye
Blurred vision
Halos around lights
Associated headache, nausea and vomiting
Describe the examination of acute angle closure glaucoma
Red eye Teary Hazy cornea Decreased visual acuity Dilation of the affected pupil Fixed pupil size Firm eyeball on palpation
Describe the management of acute angle closure glaucoma
Lie patient on back without pillow
Pilocarpine eye drops
Acetazolamide 500mg PO
Give analgesia and antiemetic if required
Hyperosmotic agents - glycerol and mannitol
Timolol (beta blocker) - reduce production of aqueous humour
Brimonidine
Laser iridotomy - definitive treatment - laser to make a hole in the iris and allow the aqueous humour to flow from the posterior chamber into the anterior chamber - relieves pressure that was pushing the iris against the cornea and allows the humour to drain
How does pilocarpine work
Acts on antimuscarinic receptors in the sphincter muscles in the iris and causes constriction of the pupil - Miotic agent
Causes ciliary muscle contraction
Cause pathway for flow of aqueous humour from ciliary body around iris and into trabecular meshwork to open up.
What is age related macular degeneration and give the two types
Degeneration of the macula causing a progressive deterioration in vision
Most common cause of blindness in the UK
Wet and dry AMD
Which AMD has the worse prognosis
Wet
Describe the layers of the macular
Photoreceptors at top
Retinal pigment epithelium
Bruchs membrane
Choroid layer - blood vessels
Give some features seen in both wet and dry AMD
Drusen - yellow deposits of protein and lipids that appear between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruchs membrane
Atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium
Degeneration of photoreceptors
What is a key feature of wet AMD
New vessel growing from choroid layer into the retina
The vessels can cause oedema and more rapid vision loss
Which chemical stimulates development of new blood vessels
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
List some risk factors for age related macular degeneration
Age Smoking White or Chinese FH CVD
Describe the presentation of AMD
Gradual worsening central visual field loss
Reduced visual acuity
Crooked or wavy appearance to straight lines
Wet AMD presents more acutely - loss of vision over days
What is seen on examination in AMD
Reduced acuity on Snellen chart
Scotoma - central patch vision loss
Amsler grid test - wavy lines
Fundoscopy - drusen
Slit lamp fundus examination
Optic coherence tomography (OCT) - layers of the retina - wet AMD
Fluorescein angiography - fluorescein contrast and photographing the retina to look in detail at the blood supply to the retina - oedema and neovascularisation - used second line to diagnose wet AMD if OCT does not exclude it
How is dry age related macular degeneration managed
No specific treatment - lifestyle
Stop smoking
Reduce BP
Vitamin supplementation
How is wet age related macular degeneration managed
Anti-VEGF medication
Ranibizumab, bevacizumab and pegaptanib
Injected into vitreous chamber once a month
Typically need to be started within 3 months to be beneficial
What is the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy
Hyperglycaemia leads to damage to retinal small vessels and endothelial cells.
Leakage from vessels causes blot haemorrhages and formation of hard exudates
Damage to blood vessel walls leads to microaneurysms and venous beading
Damage to nerve fibres in the retina cause cotton wool spots
Intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IMA) shunt between arterial and venous vessels in the retina
Neovascularisation - growth factors into the retina causing development of new blood vessels
Describe the classification of diabetic retinopathy
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic maculopathy
Describe non-proliferative (pre-proliferative/background) diabetic retinopathy
Mild - microaneurysms
Moderate - microaneurysms, blot haemorrhages, hard exudates, cotton wool spots and venous beading
Severe - blot haemorrhages plus microaneurysms in 4 quadrants, venous beading in 2 quadrants or Intraretinal microvascular abnormality in any quadrant
Describe proliferative retinopathy
Neovascularisation
Vitreous haemorrhage
Describe diabetic maculopathy
Macular oedema
Ischaemic maculopathy
List the complications of diabetic retinopathy
Retinal detachment Vitreous haemorrhage Rebeosis iridis - vessel development in iris Optic neuropathy Cataracts
How is diabetic retinopathy managed
Laser photocoagulation
Anti-VEGF medication - ranibizumab and bevacizumab
Vitreoretinal surgery
Describe hypertensive retinopathy and its features
Damage to the retina as a result of hypertension (either chronic or malignant)
Silver/copper wiring - sclerosed and thickened arterioles
AV nipping - where arterioles cause compression of the veins where they cross - sclerosis
Cotton wool spots - ischaemia and infarction causing nerve fibre damage
Hard exudates - lipids leaking into the retina
Retinal haemorrhages- damaged vessels rupturing and releasing blood into the retina
Papilloedema - ischaemia to the optic nerve - swelling and blurring of the disc margins
Describe the Keith Wagener classification for hypertensive retinopathy
Stage 1 - mild narrowing of arterioles
Stage 2 - focal constriction and AV nipping
Stage 3 - cotton wool patches, exudates and haemorrhages
Stage 4 - papillooedema
How is hypertensive retinopathy managed
Control BP
Modify RF - smoking and blood lipids
What are cataracts
Where the lens becomes cloudy and opaque
Loss of visual acuity by reducing the light entering the eye
What is the function of the lens
To focus the light onto the retina
Describe the anatomy of the lens
Held by suspensory ligmanets attached to the ciliary body
The ciliary body contracts and relaxes to focus the lens
When the ciliary body contracts it releases tension on the suspensory ligament and the lens thickens
When the ciliary body relaxes, it increases tension on the suspensory ligaments causing the lens to narrow
The lens does not have a blood supply so it grows and develops throughout life
List some risk factors for cataracts
Age Smoking Alcohol Diabetes Steroids Hypocalcaemia
Describe the presentation of cataracts
Very slow reduction in vision
Progressive blurring of the vision
Change in colour vision with colours becoming more brown or yellow
Starbursts can appear around lights - at night time
What is a sign of a cataracts on examination
Loss of the red light reflex - lens appears grey/white
What causes a generalised loss of vision with starbursts around light
Cataracts
What causes a peripheral loss of vision and halos round light
Glaucoma
What causes a central loss of vision with crooked appearance to straight lines
Age related macular degeneration
Describe the management of cataracts
None if asymptomatic
Surgery if wanting to detect other eye pathology or patient wants the cataract removed - pseudophakia (artificial lens) implanted
Name one important complication of cataracts surgery and give its management and complications
Endophthalmitis
Inflammation of the inner contents of eye usually due to infection
Treated with Intravitreal antibiotics injected into the eye
Can lead to loss of vision or loss of the eye
Describe how pupil constriction and dilation occur
Constriction - Circular muscles of iris stimulated by acetylcholine of parasympathetic nervous system travelling along the oculomotor nerve
Dilation - dilator muscles travel from inside to outside of the iris and stimulated by adrenalin by the sympathetic nervous system
List some causes of abnormal pupil shape
Trauma to sphincter muscles - surgery
Adhesions - anterior uveitis
Vertical oval - acute angle closure glaucoma - ischaemic damage to muscles of iris
Rubeosis iridis - neovascularisation of the iris in DR
Coloboma - congenital malformation - hole in iris
Tadpole pupil - spasm in a segment of iris associated with migraines
List the causes of mydriasis (pupil dilation)
3rd nerve palsy Holmes Adie syndrome Stimulants - cocaine Congenital Raised ICP Trauma Anticholinergic drugs
List the causes of miosis (pupil constriction)
Horner's syndrome Cluster headache Argyll-Robertson pupil (neurosyphilis) Opiates Nicotine Pilocarpine
Describe a third nerve palsy
Ptosis - CN3 innervates levator palpabrae superioris
Mydriasis (dilation) and non reactive pupil -CN3 contains parasympathetic supply which normally constricts pupil so palsy causes dilatation
Divergent strabismus (squint) and Down and out position of the eye - CN3 innervates all the extraocular muscles except lateral rectus and superior oblique so palsy causes down and out as lateral rectus and superior oblique still functioning
Which nerve innervates lateral rectus
Abducens (6)
Which nerve innervates superior oblique
Trochlear (4)
What does a third nerve palsy with pupil sparing suggest
Sparing of parasympathetic fibres so the cause is microvascular
- DM
- HTN
- Ischaemia
List the causes of a full third nerve palsy
Compression of the nerve including parasympathetic fibres - surgical third
- Idiopathic
- Trauma
- Tumour
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis
- Posterior communicating artery aneurysm
- Raised ICP
Which two brain structures does the third cranial nerve travel close to
Cavernous sinus
Posterior communicating artery
Describe Horner’s syndrome
Ptosis
Miosis
Anhidrosis (loss of sweating)
May have enopthalmos - sunken eye
What causes Horner’s syndrome
Damage to the sympathetic nerves supplying the face
Congenital - heterochromia (difference in eye colour on affected eye)
Central
- Stroke
- MS
- Swelling/tumour
- Syringomyelia (cysts in the spinal cord)
Pre-ganglionic
- Tumour - Pancoasts tumour
- Trauma
- Thyroidectomy
- Cervical rib
Post-ganglionic
- Carotid artery dissection
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis
- Cluster headache
Describe the journey of the sympathetic nerves to the head
Arise from spinal cord in the chest (pre-ganglionic nerves)
They enter the sympathetic ganglion on at the base of the neck and exit as post ganglionic nerves
They then travel to head alongside internal carotid artery
How can the location of the Horner syndrome be determined
If there is anhidrosis
Central lesions cause anhidrosis of the arm and trunk and face
Pre-ganglionic lesions cause anhidrosis of the face
Post-ganglionic lesions do not cause anhidrosis
What affect do cocaine eye drops have on a pupil in Horner’s syndrome
No affect
What affect do adrenaline eye drops have on a Horner’s syndrome pupil
Dilation
Describe a Holme’s-Adie pupil
Unilateral dilated pupil which is sluggish to react to light with slow dilation after constriction
Damage to post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres probably viral
What is Holmes-Adie syndrome
Holmes Adie pupil with absent ankle and knee reflexes
What causes an Argyll Robertson pupil
Neurosyphilis
Describe argyll-robertson pupil
Irregularly shaped
Constricted pupil
Accommodates but does not react
Describe blepharitis
Inflammation of eyelid margins
Causes dry, itchy, gritty sensation
Dysfunction of Meibomian glands (secrete oil onto eye) leading to styes and chalazions
How is blepharitis managed
Hot compress
Gentle cleaning of eye - baby shampoo and sterile water
Lubricating eye drops - hypromellose, polyvinyl alcohol (start with these - middle viscous) and carbomer (most viscous lasting 30-60 mins)
Describe styes and their management
Hordeolum externum - infection of glands of zeis (sebaceous glands ) and glands of moll (sweat glands) at base of eyelashes
Tender red lump that may contain pus
Hordeolum internum - infection of Meibomian glands, deeper and more painful and may point inwards under the eyelid
Managed with hot compress and analgesia, may require topical antibiotic (chloramphenicol) if associated conjunctivitis or persistent
What are chalazions and how are they managed
Blocked Meibomian glands - cyst, typically non-tender but can be
Managed with hot compress and possible topical antibiotics
May require drainage
What is entropion and its treatment
Eyelid inward with lashes against eyeball
Lashes may cause corneal ulceration and damage
Initial management - taping down of eyelid and regular lubricating eye drops
Definitive management - surgery
What is ectropion and its treatment
Eyelid turned outward with inner aspect of eyelid exposed
Exposure keratopathy
Management - if mild no treatment, lubricating drops, more severe require surgery
What is periorbital cellulitis and its management
Infection in front of the orbital septum - swelling, redness and hot skin around eyelid
CT to differentiate from orbital cellulitis
Treat with systemic antibiotics as risk of developing orbital cellulitis
What is orbital cellulitis and its management
Infection around eyeball involving tissues behind orbital septum
Pain on eye movement, change in vision, abnormal pupil reaction, forward movement of eyeball
Medical emergency - admission and IV antibiotics - may require surgical drainage if an abscess forms
What is conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva - thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of the eyelids and the sclera of the eye
List and describe the three types of conjunctivitis
Bacterial - purulent discharge
Viral - clear discharge and other signs of viral infection such as dry cough, sore throat, blocked nose and tender periauricular lymph nodes
Allergic - lots of watery discharge
What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis
Discharge
Itch
Gritty sensation
Red eye
Not painful or photophobia or reduced visual acuity
Blurring may be due to discharge but resolves when discharge clears
Unilateral/bilateral
What is the differential for an acutely red painful eye
Glaucoma Anterior uveitis Corneal abrasions/ulcers Scleritis Keratitis Foreign body Traumatic or chemical injury
What is the differential for an acutely red painless eye
Conjunctivitis
Episcleritis
Subconjunctival haemorrhage
How is conjunctivitis managed
Usually resolves without treatment within 1-2weeks
Good hygiene to avoid spreading and avoid the use of contact lenses. Clean the eyes with cooled boiled water and cotton wool to help clear the discharge
Bacterial conjunctivitis - topical antibiotic eye drops - chloramphenicol and fusidic acid
Allergic conjunctivitis - antihistamines (topical or oral) and topical mast cell stabilisers in patients with chronic seasonal symptoms - preventing mast cells releasing histamine - require use for several weeks before showing benefit
What is anterior uveitis
Inflammation in the anterior part of the uvea
Uvea involves the iris, ciliary body and choroid (layer between the retina and sclera)
Inflammation and immune cells in the anterior part of the eye - becomes infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages
Can be acute or chronic
What is acute anterior uveitis associated with
HLAB27 related conditions
Ankylosing spondylitis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Reactive arthritis
What is chronic anterior uveitis associated with
More granulomatous diseases Sarcoidosis TB Lyme disease Herpes virus Syphylis
Describe chronic anterior uveitis
> 3 months
Less severe
Describe the presentation of anterior uveitis
Unilateral symptoms that start spontaenously without history of trauma/precipitating event
May occur with a flare of the associated disease
Dull, aching, painful red eye
Ciliary flush - red ring spreading from the cornea outward
Reduced visual acuity
Floaters and flashes
Sphincter muscle contraction - miosis
Photophobia due to ciliary muscle spasm
Pain on movement
Excess tear production
Abnormally shaped pupil - posterior synechiae (adhesions)
Hypopyon - collection of white cells in anterior chamber - yellowish fluid settled in front of the lower iris
Describe the management of anterior uveitis
Urgent ophthalmology review - slit lamp and intraocular pressure assessment
Steroids - oral, topical, IV
Cycloplegic-mydriatic medication - cyclopentolate or atropine - dilates the pupils and relaxes the ciliary bodies to reduce pain associated with ciliary body spasm
Immunosuppressants - DMARDs and TNF inhibitors
Laser therapy, cryotherapy or surgery
What is episcleritis
Inflammation of the episclera (layer under the conjunctiva)
Common in young and middle aged adults
Associated with IBD and RA
How does episcleritis present
Not painful Segmental redness - lateral sclera Foreign body sensation Dilated episcleral vessels Watering of the eye No discharge
Describe the management of episcleritis
Self limiting - 1-4 weeks Cold compress Lubricating eye drops can help Simple analgesia Safety net advice More severe cases may benefit from systemic NSAIDs and topical steroid eye drops
Describe scleritis
Inflammation of the full thickness of the sclera
What are the complications of scleritis
Visual impairment - Necrotising scleritis and perforation of the sclera
What conditions are associated with scleritis
IBD RA SLE Sarcoidosis Granulomatosis with polyangitis
Describe the presentation of scleritis
Severe pain Pain with eye movement Photophobia Eye watering Reduced visual acuity Abnormal pupil reaction to light Tenderness to palpation of the eye 50% bilateral
How is scleritis managed
Urgent ophthalmology referral - same day Consider underlying systemic condition NSAIDs Steroids Immunosuppression
List some causes of corneal abrasions
Contact lenses Foreign bodies Finger nails Eyelashes Entropion
Which bacteria may infect the eye if abrasion associated with contact lenses
Pseudomonas
What is an important differential to consider in corneal abrasions
Herpes keratitis
Describe the presentation of corneal abrasions
Painful red eye Foreign body sensation Watering eye History of contact lens use Blurring of vision Photophobia
How is a corneal abrasion diagnosed
Fluorescein stain - yellow/orange colour which collects in abrasions and ulcers
Slit lamp examination - more significant
How are abrasions managed
Slit lamp assessment Remove foreign bodies Simple analgesia Lubricating eye drops Chloramphenicol Follow up after 24hrs Chemical abrasions require immediate irrigation for 25-30 mins and urgent referral to ophthalmology Uncomplicated abrasions heal over 2-3 days
List some causes of keratitis
Viral - herpes simplex Bacterial - pseudomonas and staphylococcus Fungal - candida or aspergillus Contact lens acute red eye Exposure keratitis
What is the most common cause of keratitis
Herpes simplex virus
Describe herpes simplex keratitis
Primary or recurrent
Affects the epithelial layer of the cornea
If there is stromal inflammation risk of - stromal necrosis, vascularisation and corneal blindness
Painful red eye Photophobia Vesicles around the eye Foreign body sensation Watering eye Reduced visual acuity
How is herpes keratitis diagnosed
Fluorescein stain - dendritic (branching) corneal ulcer
Slit lamp examination
Corneal swabs or scrapings - isolate the virus using viral culture or PCR
Describe the management of herpes keratitis
Aciclovir - topical or oral
Ganciclovir eye gel
Topical steroids - alongside antivirals to treat stromal keratitis
Corneal transplant - may be required after the infection has resolved to treat corneal scarring caused by stromal keratitis
What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage, how does it present, what causes it and how is it managed?
Blood vessel in conjunctiva ruptures causing a patch of blood between the sclera and conjunctiva
Does not affect vision
Occurs after heavy lifting, coughing or straining af with consitpation
HTN and bleeding disorders or medications (warfarin, DOACs and antiplatelets may lead to this)
Resolves spontaneously over 2 weeks
Investigate if underlying cause suspected
If foreign body sensation - give lubricating eye drops
What is the vitreous body
Gel inside the eye that maintains the eyeball structure and keeps the retina pressed on the choroid
Made of collagena and water
With age becomes less firm
What is posterior vitreous detachment
When the vitreous body comes away from the retina
How does posterior vitreous detachment present
Painless Spots of vision loss Floaters Flashing lights Brain adjusts till asymptomatic
What can occur as a result of posterior vitreous detachment
Retinal tears and detachment
How is posterior vitreous detachment managed
No management - brain adjusts
Exclude retinal tear/detachment
Describe retinal detachment
Retina detaches from the choroid underneath
Usually due to retinal tear which allows vitreous fluid to get under the retina and fill the space between the retina and the choroid
Retina relies on the choroid for its blood supply - sight threatening- emergency
List some risk factors for retinal tears
Posterior vitreous detachment Older age Diabetic retinopathy Damage to the eye - trauma Retinal malignancy Family history
How does retinal detachment present
Peripheral vision loss - sudden and like a shadow coming across vision
Blurred or distorted vision
Flashes and floaters
Painless
How are retinal tears managed
Create adhesions between retina and choroid - laser therapy or cryotherapy
How is retinal detachment managed
Vitrectomy - remove vittreous body and replace with oil/gas
Scleral buckling - silocone buckle to put pressure on outer eye and indent the eye so the choroid touches the retina
Pneumatic retinopexy - inject gas bubble into the eye and position patient so bubble creates pressure that flattens the retina against the choroid and close the detachment
Describe retinal vein occlusion
Occurs when thrombus blocks the retinal veins from draining the retina
Central retinal vein runs through the optic nerve and rains blood from the retina
4 branched veins come together to form the central retinal vein, blockage of a branch leads to problems in the area drained by this branch whereas central retinal vein occlusion leads to problems in the whole retina
What does central retinal vein occlusion cause
Macular oedema and retinal haemorrhages
Damage in the tissue in the retina and loss of vision
Release of VEGF which causes neovascularisation
How does central retinal vein occlusion present
Painless loss of vision
Flame and blot haemorrhages, optic disc oedema and macula oedema on fundoscopy
List the risk factors for central retinal vein occlusion
HTN High cholesterol DM Smoking Glaucoma SLE
Describe the management of central retinal vein occlusion
Laser photocoagulation
Intravitreal steroids
Anti-VEGF therapy
Describe central retinal artery occlusion
Blockage of flow through retinal artery caused by atherosclerosis or giant cell arteritis
Describe the formation of the central retinal artery
ICA - opthalmic artery - central retinal artery
List some risk factors for central retinal artery occlusion
Older age FH Smoking Alcohol HTN DM Poor diet Inactivity Obesity GCA RF - females, white, >50yo, PMR or GCA
Describe the presentation of central retinal artery occlusion
Sudden painless loss of vision
Relative afferent pupillary defect
Fundoscopy - pale retina with cherry red spot
Describe relative afferent pupillary defect
Pupil in affected eye constricts more when light shone into normal eye due to consensual response whereas light shone into affected eye is not detected by the affected eye/ischaemic retina
What is the cherry red spot seen in central retinal artery occlusion on fundoscopy
Macula - thinner surface and shows the red coloured choroid below and contrasts with the pale retina
Describe the management of central retinal artery occlusion
GCA - reversible cause - ESR and temporal artery biopsy - high dose steroids - 60mg prednisolone
Thrombus - ocular massage, inhale carbogen (5% CO2 and 95% O2), sublingual isosorbide dinitrate to dilate the artery and remove fluid from anterior chamber to reduce intraocular pressure
Long term management- modify RF
What is retinitis pigmentosa
Inherited congenital condition where there is degeneration of rods and cones. The rods degenerate more than the cones
Can occur on its own or part of a disease with hearing (Ushers syndrome), neurological (Bassen-kornzweig syndrome) or skin issues (Refsums disease)
Describe the presentation of retinitis pigmentosaq
Peripheral vision loss before central vision loss
Night blindness
Fundoscopy shows bone-spicule pigmentation in the mid peripheral area of the retina
Narrow arterioles
Waxy or pale optic disc
How is retinitis pigmentosa managed
Ophthalmology
genetic counselling
Vision aids
Sunglasses to protect retina from accelerated damage
Driving limitation - inform DVLA
Regular follow up to assess for other conditions such as cataracts
