Station 1: Pt Ed Flashcards
1
Q
Glaucoma
A
Description (x2)
- glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve, which is the cable that runs information from the retina in the back of the eye to the brain, and is associated with high pressure in the eye
- there are many different causes and it can run in families
- glaucoma can cause vision loss; in the early stages of glaucoma, patients do not notice symptoms because it affects the side vision first, then moves in centrally
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- catching it early is the best form of preventing vision loss
- there is no single test to diagnose glaucoma; we look at a group of different tests as well as the appearance of the nerve in the back of the eye
- treatment options include eye drops used daily or laser/other surgical procedures
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- Glaucoma is typically a slow progressing disease, so if treatment is started early, the prognosis is usually pretty good.
- follow up visits are initially every 3 months or so until we get the condition stabilized, then we push out to every 6 months
2
Q
Macular degeneration
A
Description (x2)
- macular degeneration is the deterioration of the macula, which is the spot of the retina that gives us our best vision
- it is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- the most common risk factor is age, however smoking is also a major risk factor
- there are no real treatment options to get your vision back once it is lost due to macular degeneration, but there are ways to slow the progression
- eating leafy greens and taking certain over-the-counter eye vitamins can help slow the process
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- the progression of vision loss varies from person to person, but the average interval from first observation to legal blindness is 10 years
- we like to follow-up every 6 months or at yearly exams
3
Q
Dry vs Wet mac degen
A
Description (x2)
- macular degeneration is the deterioration of the macula, which is the spot of the retina that gives us our best vision
- there are two types: dry and wet, with wet being the less common but more destructive form
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- there are no real treatment options to get your vision back once it is lost due to macular degeneration, but there are ways to slow the progression.
- the wet form is treated by injecting a medication into the eye that helps prevent the growth of any more blood vessels.
- eating leafy greens and taking certain over-the-counter eye vitamins can help slow the process
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- the progression of vision loss varies from person to person, but the average interval from first observation to legal blindness is 10 years
- we like to follow-up every 6 months or at yearly exams
4
Q
Dry eye
A
Description (x2)
- dry eye is a common condition in which there are not enough tears on the front surface of the eye
- the two major causes are evaporation where the tears don’t stay on the eye long enough and aqueous deficient where there are not enough tears being produced
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- there are many ways to test for dry eyes, including using dyes to look at your tear film and using a string or paper to measure the amount of tears produced
- the best treatment for dry eye is prevention. Like getting thirsty, by the time you realize your dry, your already playing catch up to get hydrated
- there are also a lot of treatment options, including artificial tears, warm compresses, punctal plugs, and prescription eyedrops
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- dry eye is a chronic condition that can’t be cured and will never fully go away, but is managable
- patients with this condition are usually seen every year for exams
5
Q
Astigmatism
A
Description (x2)
- astigmatism is just a part of your glasses prescription and is very common
- it has to do with the cornea, the clear part on the front of the eye. When it is not perfectly round/spherical like a basketball, but is more steeply curved in one direction like a football, it causes blurriness
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- there is no way to prevent astigmatism
- easy treatments include glasses or contact lenses to clear up your vision
- another option is refractive surgery
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- astigmatism is usually stable between ages 4 and 70 unless other conditions develop
- it is something we can follow up on at your yearly exams
6
Q
Presbyopia
A
Description (x2)
- there’s a lens in your eye, similar to a glasses lens, but that’s flexible and changes shape to help you see either far away or near objects. As we age, the lens loses its ability to focus for near tasks
- this usually occurs around 40 or so
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- there is no way to prevent presbyopia, it’s a normal part of having more birthdays
- there are 2 main treatment options: glasses or contacts
- glasses can be made into lined or no-line (progressive) bifocals while contact lenses can be fit with multifocal lenses or what’s called monovision, where one eye is set for distance and the other for near
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- the condition will continue to worsen until about age 55, when it stabilizes
- it is something that we can monitor at your yearly exams
7
Q
Cataracts
A
Description (x2)
- cataracts occur when the lens inside our eye becomes cloudy or foggy due to changes in the structure of the proteins in the lens
- the common complaint associated with cataracts are glare from headlights while driving at night
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- there is no way to prevent cataracts, they are a normal part of having more birthdays
- however, they can grow faster/earlier in some people due to diabetes, sun/UV exposure, and some medications
- once they get bad enough, they are removed with a very common surgery and replaced with a new plastic lens
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- there are no major concerns with cataracts, but they will continue to get worse the longer they are there
- we can monitor them at your yearly exams
8
Q
Keratoconus
A
Description (x2)
- keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea, the clear part on the front of the eye, begins to bulge outwards, this causes the vision to get distorted
- it appears to run in families and is also associated with eye rubbing as a child
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- there is no way to prevent keratoconus
- one common treatment option is hard contact lenses
- another option is a procedure called corneal cross-linking where a special UV light and a chemical called riboflavin are used to strengthen the cornea
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- the prognosis for vision is generally good with contact lenses, however correcting vision with glasses is often difficult
- patients with keratoconus should be monitored every 6-12 months
9
Q
Diabetic retinopathy
A
Description (x2)
- diabetes can have a lot of effects in the eyes, especially the blood vessels in the retina. It causes them to leak and can cause the retina to swell, which decreases vision.
- usually the earliest sign is tiny bleeds in the back of the eye
Prevention/Diagnosis/Treatment (x3)
- the condition can be prevented with a healthy diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels
- it is diagnosed through a comprehensive exam, including dilation to look for hemorrhages, swelling, and other changes to the eye
- treatment depends on the severity, and may include a laser procedure to prevent blood vessels from leaking
Prognosis/Follow-up (x2)
- if vision is lost from the condition, it cannot be brought back by getting blood sugar under control, so prevention is key
- follow up intervals are also dependent on severity and range from every couple of months to annual exams
