Ageing 10: Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat

Question 1

Outline four common visual disorders in older adults

Answer 1

1. Myopia (near-sightedness)
2. Hyperopia (far-sightedness)
3. Astigmatism (eye focuses on multiple points in the retina)
4. Presbyopia (inflexible lens can’t focus light well)

Question 2

Briefly: how does cataracts occur?

Answer 2

Clouding of the lens of the eye.

Question 3

Cataracts prevention strategies

Answer 3

• Prevent diabetes
• Protect eyes from UV (e.g. sunglasses) and trauma (e.g. safety goggles when welding/cutting)
• Quit smoking (↓ microvascular damage)

Question 4

Describe age-related macular degeneration + forms

Answer 4

• Drusen (extracellular deposits) under retina of eye
• Can be dry (thinning of macula) or wet (exudative; abnormal neovascularisation in the macula)

Question 5

Risk factors for age related macular degeneration

Answer 5

• Smoking/htnm
• Age
• Hyperopia (WIT?)
• Drusen
• FHx

Question 6

Treatment of dry AMD

Answer 6

• Vitamin supplements
• Amsler grid to check vision over time
• Manage risk factors (htn/↑ cholesterol/obesity)
• Monitoring for driving safety etc

Question 7

Treatment of wet AMD

Answer 7

• Injections of anti-VEGF MAbs

Question 8

What is glaucoma + subtypes w/ corresponding timescale

Answer 8

• Glaucoma is a family of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve due to ↑ IOP from aqueous humour buildup
• Open angle glaucoma (less acute) impaired humour drainage
• Closed angle (very acute) sudden blockage of trabecular meshwork (WIT?)

Question 9

Glaucoma risk factors

Answer 9

• Age
• Myopia
• FHx
• Thin cornea