The Opaque Eye - Intraocular Disease Flashcards
What is found at the centre of the lens?
Should you be able to see it in the normal eye?
Nucleus
No
What is the lens attached to?
The ciliary body
What causes nuclear sclerosis?
Lens nucleus becomes compact and dense with aging
DOES NOT CAUSE BLINDNESS
What clinical signs are associated with lens disease?
Decreased transparency - cataract
Phacodenesis - lens luxation
Iridodonesis - trembling iris
Aphakic crescent - lens subluxation
What can cause diseases of the lens ?
Congenital abnormalities
Cataract
Lens induced uveitis
Lens luxation
What congenital abnormalities can cause lens disease?
persistent blood vessels
Microphakia - small lens
Lens coloboma - hole in lens
Define the term cataract
Any non-physiologic opacity in the lens
What is the most common cause of cataracts?
Diabetes Mellitus
DOGS usually develop within 2y of diabetes diagnosis
What is the second most common cause of cataracts?
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Retina degenerates releasing toxins (glutamate) -> cataract formation
What drug could prevent the formation of diabetic cataracts?
ALDOSEREDUCTASE
Prevents sorbitol formation
What is key on exam to detect and identify cataracts?
Retro illumination
- defects appear black against light background
What is an incipient cataract?
Less than 10-15% lens volume
Y shape
Vision minimally affected
What are immature cataracts?
Nuclear and cortical regions affected (more than 30% affected)
Tapetal reflex still visible
Decreased vision especially at night
What are mature cataracts?
Complete opacity of the lens - marble white appearance
NO TAPETAL REFLEX
BLIND
What is a hyper mature cataract?
Small crystalline particles from degraded lens
Wrinkled anterior lens capsule
Lens may decrease in size