Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Nervous System > Common Conditions of the Eye > Flashcards

Common Conditions of the Eye Flashcards

1
Q

What is the conjunctiva?

A

Thin vascular membrane that covers inner surface of eyelids and loops back over sclera.

Does not cover the cornea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is conjunctivitis?

A

Self-limiting bacterial or viral infection of the conjunctiva

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the symptoms of conjunctivitis?

A

Red, watering eyes, discharge

No loss of vision as long as infection does not spread to cornea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the treatment of conjunctivitis?

A

Antibiotic eye drops if it is likely to be bacterial

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Name a condition of the conjunctiva

A

Conjunctivitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Name a condition of the eyelids

A

Style or hordeolum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the difference between a style or hordeolum?

A

External – affecting the sebaceous glands of an eyelash

Internal – affecting the meibomian glands

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the epithelium of the cornea?

A

Stratified squamous nonkeratinsed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the nam for the basement membrane of the cornea?

A

Bowman’s membrane

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Name the 5 layers of the cornea

A
  1. Epithelium
  2. Bowman’s membrane
  3. Stroma
  4. Descemet’s layer
  5. Endothelium
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the stroma of the cornea?

A

3rd layer of the cornea: regularly arranged collagen, no blood vessels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What two pathologies can affect the cornea?

A
  1. Inflammatory - i.e. corneal ulcers

2. Non-inflammatory - i.e. dystrophies

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What do corneal pathologies often lead to?

A

Opacification of the cornea

Might need to be treated by corneal transplant - Keratoplasty

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are two causes of corneal ulcers?

A
  • Infectious - viral/bacterial/ fungal infection of cornea, needs aggressive management to prevent spread, scarring
  • Non-infectious ulcers due to trauma, corneal degenerations or dystrophy
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the dystrophies and degenerations of the cornea?

A

They are a group of diseases affecting the
cornea which are:
• Bilateral
• Opacifying
• Non – inflammatory
• Mostly genetically determined
• Sometimes due to accumulation of substances such as lipids within the cornea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What do dystrophies and degenerations present as?

A
  • First to fourth decade
  • Decreased vision
  • Start in one of the layers of the cornea and spread to others
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Why do researchers refer to the cornea as the “immune-privileged” site?

A

The avascularity of the cornea means there is a lesser chance of foreign antigens from a corneal graft being recognised by the recipient, so lesser chance of a graft rejection

18
Q

What happens in cataracts?

A

The lens become opacified

19
Q

Why does cataracts develop?

A
  • Older fibres are never shed, compacted in the middle - loss of elasticity and become opaque
  • No blood supply to lens, which depends entirely on diffusion for nutrition
  • Absorbs harmful UV rays preventing them from damaging retina but in the process, get damaged themselves causing opacity
20
Q

What types of fibres causes dilation of pupil?

A

Sympathetic

21
Q

What is used to treat cataracts?

A

Surgery:
(Day case) small incision -> lens capsule opened -> cataracts lens removed by emulsification (phacoemulisification) -> plastic lens placed in capsular bag

Cant use eyedrops

22
Q

What is glaucoma?

A

Raised Intraocular pressure (IOP)

23
Q

How does glaucoma arise?

A

Damage to the AH drainage pathway causing raid intraocular pressure (rare for it to be caused by over-production

24
Q

What is the most common form of primary glaucoma?

A

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) - bilateral

25
What is the consequence of raised intraocular pressure?
Pressure on nerve fibres on surface of retina -> fibres die -> visual field defects Pressure on optic nerve head as nerve fibres die out. When seen by ophthalmoscopy – optic disc appears unhealthy, pale and cupped. This results in altered field of vision as all nerve fibres are lost, which will eventually result in blindness.
26
What is the triad of signs for the diagnosis of glaucoma?
* Raised IOP * Visual field defects * Optic disc changes on ophthalmoscopy
27
What is the management of glaucoma (POAG)?
* Eye drops to decrease IOP (prostaglandin analogues, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors) * Laser trabeculoplasty (unclog trabecular meshwork) * Trabeculectomy surgery
28
What is an angle closure glaucoma?
Sudden onset, painful, vision lost/ blurred; headaches (often confused with migraine)
29
What are the symptoms of angle closure glaucoma?
* O/E – Red eye, cornea often opaque as raised IOP drives fluid into cornea * AC shallow, and angle is closed. * Pupil mid-dilated * IOP severely raised
30
Why does the angle close in angle closure glaucoma?
* Functional block in a small eye – large lens * Mid-dilated pupil periphery of iris crowds around angle and outflow is obstructed * Iris sticks to pupillary border (synechia) which prevents reaching AC. Leads to iris balooning anteriorly and obstructing angle.
31
What are the two management strategies for angle closure glaucoma?
1. Decrease IOP | 2. Iridotomy (laser) - drainage in iris to decrease pressure
32
How do you decrease IOP in angle closure glaucoma?
* IV infusion +/- oral therapy - carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (Acetazolamide) * Analgesic, antiemetic * If no contraindication beta-blocker drops such a timolol
33
Why carry out an iridotomy for angle closure glaucoma?
To bypass blockage to prevent another episode, so the AH has short circuit to the trabecular meshwork Burns a small hole in the iris
34
What is uveitis?
Inflammation of the uvea
35
What are the three different types of uveitis?
* Anterior - iris with or without ciliary body inflamed * Intermediate uveitis - ciliary body inflamed * Posterior - choroid inflamed
36
What are the causes of uveitis?
* Isolated illness * Non-infectious autoimmune causes – eg: presence of HLA-B27 * Infectious causes – chronic diseases such as TB * Associated with systemic diseases – eg: ankylosing spondylosis
37
What happens in anterior uveitis?
Inflamed anterior uvea (iris) leaks plasma ad white blood cells into the aqueous humor
38
What is the clinical presentation of anterior uveitis?
* Seen in slit lamp examination as a hazy anterior chamber and cells deposited at the back of the cornea * The eye is red, painful, with visual loss * Cells in the AC may settle inferiorly – “hypopyon”
39
What happens in intermediate uveitis?
Ciliary body is inflamed and leaks proteins -> hazy vitreous
40
What happens in posterior uveitis?
Choroid is inflamed and because the choroid sits under the retina, the inflammation frequently spread to the retina causing blurred vision
41
What is the uvea?
The pigmented layer of the eye, lying beneath the sclera and cornea, and comprising the iris, choroid, and ciliary body

Nervous System (47 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions