Taking a History Flashcards
Give 3 causes of gradual vision loss.
macular degeneration (age)
chronic glaucoma
cataracts
Give 4 causes of acute vision loss.
central retinal artery occlusion
central retinal vein occlusion
acute glaucoma
wet related macular degeneration
How can you differentiate a central retinal artery occlusion from a central retinal vein occlusion?
Central retinal artery occlusion will appear pale due to ischaemia
Central retinal vein occlusion will be full of haemorrhages
Are central retinal vein/artery occlusions painful?
No
Which acute vision loss is very painful?
acute glaucoma
What colour is discharge if viral and what colour if bacterial?
clear if viral, green if bacterial
List some extra features other than vision loss you should ask about.
Double vision Blurred vision Photo-sensitivity Floaters Trauma Discharge Flashing lights Headaches
What may happen in MS?
optic neuritis can cause vision loss
associated with arm tingling
young women
What do you need to ask about in past ocular history?
Do they wear glasses?
Short sighted - risk of retinal detachment
Long sighted - higher risk of glaucoma
Previous retinal detachment
Squint surgery
Contact lens infections (eg from wearing overnight)
Laser eye surgery
Which drug type is important to ask about in an opthamology history and why?
steroids - these can lead to cataracts/glaucoma
Describe the symptoms of retinal detachment.
Like a curtain moving down causing vision loss
Get floaters
Flashing lights
Who tends to get glaucoma?
long sighted patients
What happens to pressure in glaucoma?
builds up (50-70 mol instead of 15)
What happens to the right eye if you shine a light on the right eye?
right direct constriction
What happens to the left eye if you shine a light on the right eye?
left indirect constriction
