cataracts Flashcards
what is cataracts?
he lens in the eye becomes cloudy and opaque. This reduces visual acuity by reducing the light that enters the eye.
what are risk factors for cataracts?
Increasing age Smoking Alcohol Diabetes Steroids Hypocalcaemia
how can a a patient with cataracts present?
Very slow reduction in vision
Progressive blurring of vision
Change of colour of vision with colours becoming more brown or yellow
“Starbursts” can appear around lights, particularly at night time
what is a key sign to look out for when diagnosing cataracts?
A key sign for cataracts is the loss of the red reflex. The lens can appear grey or white when testing the red reflex. This might show up on photographs taken with a flash.
what is the management?
replacing the lense with an artifical lense
risk of endopthalmitis so intravitrial antibiotics are given
