Opthamology Flashcards
What are the rods of the eye responsible for?
Night/peripheral vision
What are the cones of the eye responsible for?
Detailed/colour vision
What cranial nerves are involved in some way with the eye?
2-7
As a general rule in ophthalmology if a bacteria shows on gram stain to be a gram +ve cocci, what is it?
Strep/Staph
As a general rule in ophthalmology if a bacteria shows on gram stain to be a gram -ve cocci, what is it?
neisseria
As a general rule in ophthalmology if a bacteria shows on gram stain to be a gram -ve cocci-bacilli, what is it?
H.influenzae
As a general rule in ophthalmology if a bacteria shows on gram stain to be a gram -ve bacilli, what is it?
pseudomonas
What are the common causes for bacterial conjunctivitis in neonates?
Staph aureus Neisseria gonnorrhoea (from mother) Chlamydia trachomatis (from mother)
What should be done for all cases of neonatal bacterial conjunctivitis?
Refer immediately to ophthalmology
In all ages except from neonates, what are the commonest causes of bacterial conjunctivitis?
Staph aureus
Strep pneumoniae
H.influenzae (esp. in children)
What is the treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis?
Swab and culture for sensitivity
Topical antibiotic = chloramphenicol qds
When should chloramphenicol be avoided?
In a patient with a history of allergy, or aplastic anaemia
Treatment bottles for bacterial conjunctivitis can be easily contaminated, what is a common contaminent?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
What other bacterial causes should be considered in a bacterial conjunctivitis in contact lens users?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Acanthamoeba
What viruses commonly affect the conjunctiva?
Adenovirus
Herpes simplex
Herpes zoster
How would an adenovirus conjunctivitis present?
Red, swollen conjunctiva and watery eyes
How would a conjunctivitis caused by Herpes simplex present?
Small pustules in the lateral corner of the skin around the eye
How would a conjunctivitis caused by Herpes zoster present?
Eye involved in a shingles pattern (if tip of nose is affected then this indicated more serious eye involvement)
When should a chlamydial conjunctivitis be suspected?
More chronic history
Unresponsiveness to classical treatments
Bilateral
May of may not have genital symptoms
How would a chlamydial conjunctivitis present?
Watery, slightly red conjunctiva and sclera
Follicular nodules on the underside of the upper and lower eyelids (subtarsal)
If untreated may lead to subtarsal scarring which makes blinking painful and scratchy
How would a bacterial keratitis present?
A yellow, pussy nodule +/- white cells collecting at the bottom of the sclera (hypopyon)
If lies over pupil then may affect vision
How is bacterial keratitis treated?
Hospital admission for hourly eye drops
How would a herpetic keratitis present?
Dendritic ulcer which shows up on fluorescein studies
Eye is slightly watery
May be very painful and may recurr (less painful with each recurrence)
What treatment should NEVER be given in herpetic keratitis and why?
Steroids - may cause corneal melt and perforation
How is herpetic keratitis treated?
Aciclovir
How would an adenoviral keratitis present?
Subepithelial infiltrates on the underside of the cornea which may blurred vision
Bilateral - usually following an URTI
Very contagious
How is an adenoviral keratitis treated?
Topical antibiotics to prevent secondary infection (if likely)
Steroids (if becomes chronic)
How would a fungal keratitis present?
Similar to bacterial but with a more gradual history
Usually after some form of trauma from vegetation
How does orbital cellulitis present?
Painful moving eyes Proptosis Often associated with paranasal sinuses Pyrexia Sight-threatening
What investigation needs to be done in a patient presenting with orbital cellulitis?
CT - identification of orbital abscesses
What are the common causative organisms of orbital cellulitis?
Staph Strep Coliforms H.influenzae anaerobes
How is orbital cellulitis treated?
Broad spectrum antibiotics and close monitoring
Abscess may require drainage if present
What is endophthalmitis?
A devastating infection involving the entire globe
Endogenous or post surgery
How does endophthalmitis present?
v. rapid onset and v. painful
v. red eye
decreased vision which may be permanent
What organisms are responsible for endophthalmitis?
Often conjunctival commensals
Staph epidermidis is most common
How is endophthalmitis treated?
Intravitreal amikacin
Vancomycin
Topical antibiotics
What is chorioretinitis?
Inflammation of the choroid and retina
What can cause chorioretinitis?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Toxoplasma gondii
How does a CMV chorioretinitis present?
Retinal haemorrhage
How does a toxoplasma gondii chorioretinitis present?
Protozoan infection causing a mild flu-like illness
May cause problems in immunocompromised patients
Causes cysts to form in the retina which may be sight threatening (if true then systemic therapy needed)
How are eye infections diagnosed?
Swabs - bacterial, chlamydial, viral Corneal scrapes - bacterial keratitis Aqueous/vitreous collection for culture - endophthalmitis Microscopy/culture - acanthamoeba Serology - Toxoplasma gondii
What treatments are used for bacterial conjunctivitis?
Chloramphenicol - all except pseudomonas aeruginosa
Fusidic acid - Staph aureus
Gentamicin - gram -ves (coliforms and pseudomonas aeruginosa)
How is chlamydial conjunctivitis treated?
Topical oxytetracycline
Adults may also need azithromycin for genital disease
How is herpetic conjunctivitis treated?
Topical +/- oral antivirals (aciclovir)
How is bacterial keratitis treated?
Ofloxacin - most gram -ves (not strep. pneumoniae)
Gentamicin + cefuroxime - most gram -ves and +ves
What is dacrocystitis?
A blockage in the lacrimal sac which has become infected and inflammed
How is dacrocystitis treated?
Systemic antibiotics, then open duct
Where is the choroid plexus found in the human adult brain?
3rd and 4th ventricles
What makes up the blood brain barrier?
Endothelial cells in brain capillaries
- capillary endothelium
- basal membrane
- perivascular astrocytes
What is the function of the blood brain barrier?
Protection of the brain from common bacterial infections and toxins
What is routinely measured in CSF samples?
Proteins Albumin Immunoglobulin Glucose Lactate Cellular changes Specific antigen and antibody testing for infectious agents
What is a colloid cyst?
A rare glioma often found at the interventricular foramen
What is a pinealoma?
A tumour arising from the pineal gland in the midbrain - can often compress the cerebral aqueduct
What are ependyomas?
5% of all gliomas, arising from ependymal cells lining the ventricles
Children under 5 are mostly affected by this
Who do choroid plexus tumours usually affect?
Children under 10
What is a ventricular haemorrhage?
Accumulation of blood in the ventricles from either haemorrhage in the brain with secondary rupture into the ventricles, rupture of an intracranial aneurysm, or other vascular malformations
What is hydrocephalus?
Accumulation of CSF in the ventricular system, or around the brain.
Subsequent enlargement of 1 or more ventricles or increased CSF pressure
What are the symptoms of hydrocephalus?
Headache, N+V, visual disturbances, lethargy and potentially coma
How would normal pressure hydrocephalus present?
Triad of:
Dementia
Incontinence
Gait Disturbances
How would normal pressure hydrocephalus present?
Triad of:
Dementia
Incontinence
Gait Disturbances
What is idiopathic intracranial hypertension?
A mysterious condition mostly seen in obese females of child bearing age
How does idiopathic intracranial hypertension present clinically?
Headache
Visual disturbances due to papilloedema
Increased CSF pressure but no signs of hydrocephalus
How is idiopathic intracranial hypertension managed?
Weight loss, medications and potentially a VP shunt.
What is papilloedema?
A swelling of the optic disc due to increased ICP transmitter to the sub arachnoid space surrounding the optic nerve
How may papilloedema present?
Enlarged blind spot
Blurriness
Visual obscurations
Loss of vision
What is the aqueous humour?
A specialised fluid that bathes structures within the eye providing oxygen, metabololites and bicarbonate
What is the function of the bicarbonate present in the aqueous humour?
buffers the H+ produced in the cornea and lens by anaerobic glycolysis
How is aqueous humour produced?
By an energy dependent process in the epithelial layer of the cilliary body into the posterior chamber of the eye
What is the route through which the aqueous humour flows?
Anterior chamber -> scleral venous sinus -> trabecular meshwork -> canal of Schlemm (situated in the angle between the iris and cornea iridocorneal angle
What covers the ciliary body and posterior surface of the iris?
2 juxtaposed layers of epithelial cells:
- a forward continuation of the pigment epithelium of the retina (PR)
- an inner non-pigmented epithelial layer on top (NPE)
What covers the ciliary body and posterior surface of the iris?
2 juxtaposed layers of epithelial cells:
- a forward continuation of the pigment epithelium of the retina (PR)
- an inner non-pigmented epithelial layer on top (NPE)
What is formed in the epithelial cells covering the cilliary body, from the hydration of CO2 catalysed by Carbonic Anhyrase?
HCO3- and H+
What happens to the HCO3- and H+ which are formed in the epithelial cells?
Transported across the basolateral membranes of PE cells in exchange for Cl- and Na+
What is the result of the ionic exchange done in the epithelial cells?
Aqueous humour movement is accompanied by water movement
How much aqueous humour is secreted per minute into the anterior chamber of the eye?
1-3ml
How much aqueous humour in total lies in the posterior chamber?
60ml (completely replaced every 30 mins)
How much aqueous humour in total lies in the anterior chamber?
250ml (completely replaced every 120 mins)
Secretion and drainage of aqueous humour maintains the intra-ocular pressure at what level?
~17mmHg above the atmospheric level
What caused raised IOP in glaucoma?
Increased secretion of aqueous humour compared to removal
What drugs work to lower the IOP in glaucoma?
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (slow aqueous humour production)
- Dorzolamide eye drops
- Acetazolomide - oral (may cause acidosis)
What drugs work to lower the IOP in glaucoma?
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (slow aqueous humour production)
- Dorzolamide eye drops
- Acetazolomide - oral (may cause acidosis)
What type of glaucoma is most common?
Open-angle (symptomless) Slowly progresses and may cause permanent congestion and blindness
What is open angle glaucoma caused by?
An obstruction to the aqueous outflow across the trabecular network
What 4 things must happen in order for us to see an object?
- Pattern of object must fall on the vision receptors
- Amount of light entering the eye must be regulated
- Energy waves from photons must be transduced into electrical signals
- Brain must receive and interpret the signals
What is the role of horizontal cells within the retina?
Receive input from photoreceptors and project this info to other photoreceptors and bipolar cells
What is the role of amacrine cells in the retina?
Receive input from bipolar cells and project this info to ganglion cells, bipolar cells and other amacrine cells
What is the role of photoreceptors?
Conversion of electromagnetic radiation to neural signals
What type of resting membrane potential (Vm) do photoreceptors have?
Depolarised (+ve)
What happens to Vm when exposed to light?
Hyperpolarises
Why is the Vm for photoreceptors +ve?
Due to the dark current - A cGMP-gated Na+ channel that is open in the dark and closed in the light
A change in what ion with light allows the brain to perceive objects in the visual fields?
Na+
What are the visual pigment molecules?
Rhodopsin (for rods) are present in the membrane folds
Rhodopsin = retinal (Vit A alternative) + Opsin (GPCR)
What does light do involving retinal (orange pigment)?
Converts II-cis-Retinal to all-trans-Retinal (activated form)
What does all-trans-Retinal do?
Activates transducin which down a molecular cascade leads to decreased cGMP, closing the cGMP channel
What does closure of the cGMP channel in the eye do?
Reduces Na+ entry to the cells and causes hyperpolarisation
What does closure of the cGMP channel in the eye do?
Reduces Na+ entry to the cells and causes hyperpolarisation
What is the basic function of the Dark Current Channel?
Opens in the dark and closes in response to light
Opened by cGMP
Permeable to Na+
Keeps the photoreceptor Vm more +ve than most neurons
Gives a steady release of neurotransmitter
What is visual acuity?
The ability to distinguish 2 nearby points
What is visual acuity determined by?
Largely by photoreceptor spacing and refractive power
Do rods or cones offer better acuity?
Cones
Do rods or cones offer better sensitivity?
Rods
What type of cones pick up blue light?
Short wave
What type of cones pick up green light?
Middle wave
What type of cones pick up red light?
Long wave
What is the receptive field?
The part of the retina that needs to be stimulated to elicit APs from a ganglion cell
What are the 2 halves of the retina called?
Nasal and Temporal hemiretinas
Nerves from which hemiretina cross the optic chiasm?
Nasal
What should be done in an asessment of a patient with ocular trauma?
Good history
Visual acuities
Examine eye(s)
Use fluoroscein drops to identify any areas of epithelial loss
What should be done in an asessment of a patient with ocular trauma?
Good history
Visual acuities
Examine eye(s)
Use fluoroscein drops to identify any areas of epithelial loss
What is a hyphaema?
A collection of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye