Opthalmology Flashcards
What is the physiology of maintaining pressure within the eye?
1) AH produced by capillary networks in ciliary body
2) flows up between the iris and anterior lens and through the pupil
3) Flows out the drainage angle of the eye
4) flows into the trabecular meshwork and then the Canal of Schlemm
5) However, some aqueous has a novel route and flows into the roots of the ciliary muscle/iris and into the scleral circulation
Which receptors can be activated to affect IOP?
a-2-adrenoreceptors - ↓ IOP by reducing aqueous production + ↑uveoscleral outflow
ℬ-2-adrenergic receptors = ↑ IOP by increasing aqueous production
2 because you have 2 eyes
What is intra-ocular pressure?
Intra-Ocular Pressure is the force needed to flatten the corneal surface. Usually measured using Tonometry.
The normal range of IOP is 11-21mmHg.
What is Glaucoma?
Optic neuropathy with death of many retinal ganglion cells and their optic nerve axons.
Leads to irreversible vision loss
OP might be raised but this is not a necessity to be diagnosed with Glaucoma.
What are the 2 types of glaucoma?
Primary open angle
Acute closed angle
What is primary open angle glaucoma?
Angle between cornea and iris is open but the trabecular meshwork slowly clogs
Leads to a gradual increase in IOP and initial atrophy of the outer rim of CNII
Gradual ↓ in peripheral vision then central vision
What is acute closed angle glaucoma?
Ophthalmic emergency!
Angle between cornea and iris becomes too small due to lens being pushed against iris
Rapid ↑ in pressure
How does acute closed angle glaucoma normally present?
eye -Sudden onset, severe eye pain, eye is RED, haloes
pupil - non-reactive and mid-dilated
N&V
What are the non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for POAG?
Non-modifiable
Age >40
Family History (genetics)
Ethnicity (afro-carribean)
Modifiable Diabetes Thyroid Eye Disease Hypertension Drugs (Corticosteroids, Pilocarpine/atropine, Tricyclic antidepressants)
What are the non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors for AACG?
Non-modifiable
Ethnicity - eastern asian/south eastern asian
Age
Female
Modifiable Hypermetropia (long eye and shallow anterior chamber)
What investigations should be done to investigate Glaucoma?
Visual fields - loss of peripheral vision
Dilated eye exam on slit lamp
Cupping of the optic disc - loss of disc substance makes the cup look larger
Tonometry
What is the conservative management of POAG?
Advice on driving, drop usage (emphasise importance and lifetime treatment)
What is the medical management of POAG?
Prostaglandin Analogue e.g. Latanoprost
B-Blocker - Timalol
⍺ agonists e.g. Brimonidine also used (reduced production and small increase in drainage) but less so I think
What is the management of AACG?
Urgent referral to eye casualty
Medication - CBA
Acetazolamide
B-Blocker
Alpha agonist - Brimonidine
+/- Pilocarpine +/- latanoprost
Surgery - laser iridotomy
What is the role of a B-blocker in AACG?
REDUCE AH PRODUCTION
inhibits adrenergic stimulation (B2 adrenoceptors) to produce AH
What is the role of Acetazolamide in AACG?
REDUCE AH PRODUCTION
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
What is the role of Pilocarpine in AACG?
Anti-muscarinic
INCREASE AH DRAINAGE
pupillary constriction to increase angle
What is presbyopia?
Reduction in ability of lens to accommodate as ageing happens.
↓ lens elasticity + ciliary body atrophy
This can be overcome by prescribing convex lenses for near work.
What is a cataract? What is the pathophysiology?
Any opacity within the lens
Protein denaturation is involved but largely unknown
What is a cortical cataract?
Cortex of lens involved
Astigmatic changes
More problems in the dark when pupil dilates = more cataract exposure
What is a nuclear cataract?
Lens Nucleus becomes yellowish-brown due to pigment deposition
Myopic changes due to increased refractive index
Reduced saturation of colours
What is a posterior capsular cataract?
Subcapsular
Grandular or plaque like
Near vision affected more
What are the causes of cataracts?
SPELLS CATARACTS
C ongenital (infection e.g. rubella, familial e.g. Wilson’s
A ge >65 T rauma A fter cataract (post intraocular surgery) R adiation A vitaminosis C hemical/ Metabolic T oxic (smoking, alcohol) S ystemic (DM, neurofibromatosis type 2)
Which drugs can cause cataracts? (Chemical)
Allopurinol Amiodarone Corticosteroids Myotics Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine)
Which metabolic conditions can cause cataracts?
DM
Galactosaemia
Hypocalcaemia
Wilson’s
What are the visual changes associated with cataracts?
Visual changes
Blurred vision/ ↓ in visual acuity
Unilateral - often asymptomatic
Bilateral - gradual, painless + frequent prescription changes. +/- monocular diplopia
Faded colours
↓ night vision
Glare from lights +/- halo
What are the eye investigations to diagnose cataracts?
Visual tests
Snellen’s
Keeler’s
Stereotest - may have loss of stereopsis (distance judgement)
Tonometry
Dilated eye exam (fundoscopy)
What is the management of cataracts?
Only definitive management is surgery really (phacoemulsification)
When should cataract surgery be offered?
Gets to <6/12 is when surgery is usually offered
Patient choice/ affecting QOL. Ask about reading, driving, watching telly, hobbies, faces
When should the DVLA be informed in a cataract patient?
Only if bilateral
What is the pre-op management of cataracts?
Optical biometry to measure axial length of eye
Keratometry to measure curvature of cornea
Corneal topography if cornea is abnormal
What is the post-op management of cataracts?
Can drive again when can read a number plate 20m away with both eyes open
Can usually go back to normal daily activities within a day but everyone is different
Abx and NSAID drops for 3-6 weeks
What are the general surgical complications of cataract surgery?
Infection - endopthalmitis
Bleeding - vitreous haemorrhage
Damage to other structures - Retinal Detachment
What are the surgical complications that are specific to a phaco?
Secondary Glaucoma
Post capsule thickening
Post op eye irritation
Crystoid macular oedema
What is the retina?
Innermost layer of the eye and is comprised of 2 layers: an outer, pigmented layer and an inner, neural layer.
What is the RPE?
retinal pigment epithelium
outer layer of the pigment layer
nutrition and structure
has melanin to prevent reflection in the eyeball
what is the RPE attached to?
The choroid via Bruch’s membrane (significant for ARMD)
What is the inner neural layer of the retina made up of?
Several types of photoreceptors but mainly Rods and Cones:
Rods = For vision in dim light but no colour perception
Cones = Colour perception in normal light conditions
Describe the distribution of rods and cones throughout the retina
Rods are the predominant cell type throughout the Retina EXCEPT FOR at the Fovea
@ fovea = highest concentration of cones therefore giving the area of highest visual acuity.
what is the blood supply to the retina?
Inner 2/3 = Central Retinal Artery
Outer 1/3 = Choroidal Blood Supply
(end arteries)
Macula is dense with capillaries whereas the Fovea is a capillary free zone
How do you present fundoscopy?
1) Surface Anatomy
2) Red Reflex
3) Present the Optic Disc
- Colour (pink-grey is normal)
- Swelling/Clear margins?
- Cup:disc ratio (normal is 0.3-0.5 so cup should be roughly half of the disc area)
What is age related macular degeneration?
Eye condition that occurs where the Retinal Pigment Epithelium attaches to Bruch’s Junction at the macula
What are the 2 types of ARMD?
Dry
Unknown pathophysiology
No new vascular growth
Wet
Angiogenesis into Bruch’s epithelium + sub-retinal fluid or haemorrhage
What are the non-modifiable risk factors for ARMD?
Age >65
Sex (female)
Ethnicity - more common in caucasian and eastern asian population
Family history/genetics
What are the modifiable risk factors for ARMD?
Smoking
Cardiovascular risk factors e.g. hypertension, T2DM
Hypermetropia
What are the visual changes associated with ARMD
Central blurring of vision. Peripheral vision is normal.
Can manifest in difficulty reading or recognising faces. Also get problems with night vision and changing light conditions
PAINLESS
How do the visual changes differ between wet and dry ARMD?
Dry = gradual i.e. over years.
Wet = sudden + wiggly distortion
How do wet and dry ARMD differ on fundoscopy?
Dry = Drusen’s seen
Wet = new blood vessels and exudate
What are the Ix for ARMD?
OCT - see intraretinal fluid and disruption of the RPE
What is the treatment of dry ARMD?
No cure so have to focus on conservative measures/prevention
Stop smoking
Green, leafy vegetables (vitamin A, E, zinc)
Signpost to registering as blind to get full support
Using big text/magnifiying glass
What is the treatment for wet ARMD?
Medical = intravitreal injections of VEGF inhibitors - stops angiogenesis. Have to keep redoing
Surgical = Photodynamic/laser photocoagulation. Not that effective. More for chronic.
What are the complications of ARMD?
Wet = retinal detachment and blindness
Charles Bonnet syndrome
Why are central retinal arteries bad?
Is an end artery so there is no collateral blood supply to preserve tissues.
Vision loss can be irreversible in around 1-2 hours.
What are the main symptoms of central retinal vein/artery occlusion?
Sudden loss of central vision
Painless
How does central retinal artery/vein occlusion normally present on fundoscopy?
Artery = Retina becomes pale and oedematous (macular oedema)
Fovea remains bright red due to choriocapillary supply (cherry red spot)
Vein = Haemorrhages seen
What are the investigations for CRVO/CRAO?
Mainly clinical but can also use OCT and Fluoresceine Angiography
What is the management of central retinal vein/artery occlusion?
Vein - Intravitreous VEGF inhibitor injections
Artery - ↓IOP, anticoagulation?
What is a retinal detachment?
A hole or tear in the Retina allowing fluid to accumulate between the Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Vitreous humour
(rhegmatogenous = most common)
How does retinal detachment normally present?
4 Fs + painless
Flashes
Stimulation of the neural layer
Floaters
Field Loss
Loss of peripheral vision
Moves centrally like a curtain
Macula on = more of an emergency as can still save sight but gravity can pull down a superior tear more
Fall in acuity
What are the investigations for retinal detachment?
Dilated eye exam
See a grey, opalescent retina that balloons forward
What is the management of retinal detachment?
Treat lying flat
Refer to eye casualty/ to specialist surgery (Vitrectomy, Laser photocoagulation, Gas Tamponade)
What are the borders of the orbit?
Roof = frontal bone medial = nasal, lacrimal and ethmoidal bones lateral = sphenoid bone floor = maxillary bone
what lies directly behind the orbit?
ICA, cavernous sinus & brainstem
What is scleritis?
vasculitis of the sclera.
Occurs throughout the entire thickness
non-infective and granulomatous = associated with inflammatory conditions
How does scleritis normally present?
Red eye
REALLY PAINFUL ESP ON EYE MOVEMENT (DEEP BORING PAIN)
Associated watering and photophobia
Gradual decrease in vision
Elderly, associated with systemic disease
How does episcleritis present?
Red eye (acute onset)
Foreign Body sensation
Watering
Normal acuity
What conditions are associated with scleritis?
Uveitis
Retinal detachment
Cataracts
Glaucoma
What conditions are associated with episcleritis?
anterior uveitis (10% of cases)
How should scleritis and episcleritis be investigated?
Examination - Retract the lids and slit lamp. Phenylephrine drops - episcleritis will blanch but scleritis will not
Bloods - all the normal ones + rheumatoid + syphyllis
What serology should be done for [epi]scleritis?
RA = rheumatoid factor + anti CCP
SLE = ANA, anti-dsDNA
Wegners = c-ANCA
Reactive arthritis = HLA-B27
Churg-Strauss = p-ANCA
What is the conservative management of scleritis?
Refer to ophthalmology
What is the medical management of scleritis?
Oral NSAIDS»_space; Oral Prednisolone
? immunosuppressants if ineffective
What are the complications of scleritis?
Scleral thinning (scleromalacia)
Anterior segment ischaemia
Raised IOP
Retinal detachement
Cataracts
How can squints be classified?
Where the eye deviates to
the nose: esotropia (ESOOOO = NOSE)
temporally: exotropia
superiorly: hypertropia
inferiorly: hypotropia