Pathology

Question 1

what are cataracts and their pathogenesis

Answer 1

opacifications within fibres of lens of eye

fibres originate from epithelial cells when maturing the cell contents and nucleus are lost to leave outline

Question 2

risk factors for cataracts

Answer 2

age 
UVB
HTN
smoking 
post op
trauma 
metabolic disorders 
genetic 
diabetes

Question 3

what is glaucoma

Answer 3

increase in pressure in eye, usually due to increase in aqueous humour

Question 4

what is primary open angle glaucoma

Answer 4

slow onset and progressive visual loss due to poor drainage through trabecular meshwork
therapy aimed to slow by widening canal
asymptomatic

Question 5

what is angle closure glaucoma

Answer 5

patent drainage through trabecular meshwork but iris closes iridiocorneal angle so fluid cannot pass to meshwork
acute red eye, sudden visual loss and headache, nausea and vomiting
needs hole in iris with laser

Question 6

what is optic disc cupping in relation to glaucoma

Answer 6

edges of optic disk roll up and centre becomes depressed due to raised intraocular pressure

Question 7

what is conjunctavitis and what causes it

Answer 7

inflammation of conjunctiva
swollen, red, hot, painful
usually viral, can be bacterial or allergic

Question 8

possible cause of scleritis?

Answer 8

underlying autoimmune aetiology

Question 9

management of episcleritis

Answer 9

usually self limiting

Question 10

possible causes of lumps/bumps in ophthalmology

Answer 10

SCC
BCC
Melanoma
retinal melanoma

Question 11

what is dry ARMD

Answer 11

no clear cause

accumulation of drusen with no vascular proliferation

Question 12

what is wet ARMD

Answer 12

neovascularisation in choroid, mediated by VGEF and may cause leak
can result in visual loss, managed with anti-VGEF

Question 13

possible effects of diabetes on the eye

Answer 13

glaucoma due to new vessels
cataracts due to sorbitol clouding lens
peripheral neuropathy leading to argyll robertson pupil
retinopathy