Pathology of the eye Flashcards
What are the leading causes of blindness /SSI worldwide?
Leading causes of blindness /SSI worldwide;
- Cataract (leading cause worldwide)
- Uncorrected refractive error
- Age-related macular degeneration (leading cause in UK of blindness)
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Corneal opacities
80% is avoidable or treatable
What is Trachoma?
Trachoma - chlamydial infection, eyelashes turn in, brush cornea, and pacification of cornea
What is the WHO criteria of blindness?
Image
What are the Risk Factors for Cataract ?
Risk Factors for Cataract;
- Age
- Diabetes
- Trauma
- Inflammation
- Steroid use
- UV/radiation
- Congenital
Cataract surgery - burrow under and take out lens and put in a new silicone one
What are the Risk Factors for Corneal Ulcer?
Risk Factors for Corneal Ulcer;
- CONTACT LENSES (get micro-abrasions when take in and out and bacteria can get in if not sanitised correctly)
- Varicella/herpes
- Steroid drop use (increase infection risk)
- Dry eyes/ Exposure
- Trauma / Burns
Once treated can cause scar, can do corneal transplant from dead doner so can see again
What do you look for in a Retinal Reflex and what abnormalities may you find ?
Normal is ‘Red reflex’ = retinal reflex
Abnormal can be caused by anything obstructing the path of light from the front to the back of the eye
What are the causes of Retinoblastoma ?
Retinoblastoma can be seen in newborns and children. Causes are;
- Knudson ‘2-hit’ hypothesis
- RB1 - tumour suppressor gene
- Hereditary - earlier, bilateral
- Non-hereditary - later, unilateral
Every newborn gets a retinal reflection check (can be done with Arclight) and is done in a 6-8 week child check up
What are the features and causes of Diabetic Retinopathy ?
Reduced vision due to;
- Growth or new vessels; vitreous haemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment and robotic glaucoma
- Leakage of fluid from damaged vessels; macular oedema with loss of central visual acuity
Treatment;
- Lifestyle - smoking, weight, exercise
- Blood sugar / pressure / cholesterol
- Support renal function
- Laser, anti-VEGF, surgery
What is the pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy ?
Don’t know just look at processes involved later and what diabetes does, specifically microvascular damage causing leaky vessels and a problem
What are the Features of Retinopathy of Prematurity ?
Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP)
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is an eye disease that can happen in babies who are premature (born early) — or who weigh less than 3 pounds at birth.
ROP happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye). Some babies with ROP have mild cases and get better without treatment. But some babies need treatment to protect their vision and prevent blindness.
- The 3rd endemic in middle-income countries
- Screening program in UK
- Will cause severe sight impairment if left untreated
- The most effective intervention you can make
- Similar pathological mechanism to Diabetic Neuropathy
(We do not discharge babies until their retina has been vascularised)
What are the features of Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD);
- Most common cause of SSI > 65 ears in high-income countries
- Two types: Dry and wet
- Symptoms: Progressive reduction in visual acuity. Metamorphopsia may suggest wet AMD
- Treatment: Prevention, rehabilitation and anti-VEGF injections
Dry AMD will have thinning and usual fovea dip
Wet AMD has blood formed
Why do we use Anti-VGEF injections?
A series of injections of anti-VEGF medicines are given into the back of your eye to stop these blood vessels growing and help control the leaking blood
What is happening in this image?
New vessels forming due to diabetic retinopathy
What is wrong with this image?
Cupped = Glaucoma
What is wrong with this image?
Pale = long term compression of optic nerve, ischemic problem or nutritional deficiency