Visual System and Gaze Disorders Slides Flashcards
Cataract
Clouding and yellowing of the lens. Third most common cause of visual loss in the elderly.
Pattern of visual loss: cataract
Cloudy, out of focus
Treatment of cataracts
No way to prevent or treat with drugs, surgery indicated only if daily activities affected. Prognosis excellent.
Glaucoma
Second most common cause of visual loss in elderly. Asymptomatic and damage is irreparable. Optic nerve damage associated with visual field deficits. May be associated with increased interocular pressure.
Primary open angle glaucoma
Asymptomatic in early stages, if untreated can lead to blindness. Can be treated with medication that decreases intraocular pressure. PERIPHERAL LOSS of SIGHT.
Sign of glaucoma optic nerve damage?
Cupping at optic disc (vessels go around rim)
Closed angle glaucoma
More common in asia, may need medication or laser treatment. Severe ocular pain, blurred vision, halos, n/v, headache. Trabecular meshwork obstructed.
Normal aqueous flow
Produced by ciliary body, around iris, then absorbed by trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal, which drains to episcleral veins.
ARMD
Age related macular degeneration, most common cause of elderly visual loss. Loss of central vision
Type of vision loss in ARMD
Loss of central vision.
Risk factors for ARMD
Smoking history, family history, fair skin, advanced age.
Two types of ARMD
Dry – drusen (deposits) gradual vision loss, usually asymptomatic
Wet- sudden severe vision loss, bleeding under retina (accumulation of blood and fluid)
Diabetic retinopathy
4th leading cause of elderly vision loss in the US. Leading cause of blindness in working age people. Increased blood glucose damages retinal capillaries.
Type of vision loss with DR
Patchy.
Two types of diabetic retinopathy
Non-proliferative DR Proliferative DR (emergency)
