Retinal Disorders Flashcards
when examining the fundus which vessels are lighter veins or arteries?
arteries (veins are darker)
what does biometry calculate?
lens power
in a fluorescein angiography what part of the eye should be impermeable to fluorescein?
> inner blood retinal barrier (retinal capillaries)
> outer blood retinal barrier (zonula occludens)
what are choriocapillaris permeable to in a fluorescein angiography?
free fluorescein (unbound to serum proteins)
describe the process of a fluorescein angiography
> fluorescein in given to the patient
white light from the camera flash id passed through a blue excitation filter
this blue light excites the fluorescein the blood vessels.
when the picture is being taken the filter is changed to green
green and blue light then exits the eye, only green light enters the camera
what could hypofluoresence in a fluorescein angiography indicate?
blockage and no filling
name some investigations for retinal disorders
> fluorescein angiography
optical coherence tomography
electrophysiological tests
what is optical coherence tomography?
a non-invasive imaging technique that takes a cross sectional image of the retina showing the distinct layers
what are electrophysiology tests?
a series of investigations recording electrical signals from the eye, optic nerve and brain in response to visual stimuli
describe an electroretinogram (ERG)
this measures retinal function by recording action potentials within the retina:
> a wave from photoreceptors
> b wave from mullers cells
describe an electro-oculogram
> measures function of RPE and photoreceptors
measures resting potential difference between RPE and photoreceptors
-maximum potential difference in light adapted eye
- maximum potential difference in dark adapted eye
name the ratio measured in electro-oculogram EOG
arden ratio
describe visually evoked potential VEP investigations
> records optic nerve function
> measures electrical activity in the visual cortex in response to wither a flashing light or checker board pattern
what would a reduced amplitude in visually evoked potentials imply?
> reduced cell number
> ischaemic/traumatic neuropathy
what would latency in visually evoked potentials imply?
> reduced cell function
> optic neuritis
name some common causes of central retinal vein occlusion
> hypertension
glaucoma
hyperviscosity
inflammation
name some conditions resulting in a sudden painless loss of vision
> central retinal vein occlusion > central retinal artery occlusion > ischaemic optic neuropathy > stroke > vitreous haemorrhage > retinal detachment
what are some common causes of central retinal artery occlusion?
> emboli
> inflammation
describe the appearance of the fundus in central retinal artery occlusion
it is very pale with a red spot in the central area