Contact Lens Pathology Review Flashcards
This is a comprehensive deck containing 2-5 different images for each pathology to ensure you can recognize different examples and not just memorize a single image. (Under Construction) (129 cards)

Bullous Keratopathy
- degenerative condition in which the cornea becomes permanently swollen because the corneal endothelium has been damaged and is not pumping fluid properly
- pockets of fluid (‘bullae’) form in corneal tissue and rise to the epithelial surface where they break and become painful
- endothelial damage may be from trauma, glaucoma, or inflammation after some types of ocular surgery
- NO CONTACT LENSES

Conjunctivitis
- inflammation of the conjunctiva
- allergic – discontinue contact lens wear for the duration
- viral or bacterial – discontinue contact lens wear for the duration, and dispose of soft contact lenses (or disinfect GPs) to prevent reinfection

Trichiasis
- misdirection of the eyelashes toward the globe
- often associated with entropion or blepharitis, but can also occur on its own
- surgical management involves rotating the marginal part of the eyelid outwards, away from the globe, so that the lashes are no longer in contact with the eye
- prior to treatment a therapeutic (bandage), soft contact lens can be used to protect the eye from the irritating lashes

Corneal Edema
- swelling due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen)
- causes include: tight lenses, low Dk soft or RGPs, PMMA lenses, extended wear of regular hydrogel lenses
- symptoms of acute edema include: extreme pain, excessive lacrimation, reduced vision, photophobia, intolerance of CL wear
- may cause microcysts in the epithelium
- symptoms of chronic edema are more subtle - less pain, and little to no effect on vision
- CLs must be discontinued until edema resolves

Blepharoptosis/Ptosis
- drooping of the upper eyelid
- may cause difficulty with contact lens centration, but if a satisfactory fit can be obtained contact lens wear can be successful

Hudson-Stähli Line
- an orange-brown iron line at the level of the basement membrane of the epithelium in the band region of the normal cornea
- roughly horizontal line found in the middle third of the cornea
- common in older corneas, and injured corneas at any age

Bacterial Conjunctivitis
inflamation of the conjunctiva caused by a bacterial infection, often characterized by the presence of a purulent discharge

Bacterial Corneal Ulcer
- presents with dense grayish white opacity associated with epithelial loss and stromal involvement – ulceration, stromal abscess formation, surrounding corneal edema, and anterior segment inflammation are characteristic of this disease – requires laboratory evaluation
- rapid progression; corneal destruction may be complete in 24-48 hours with some of the more virulent bacteria
- loss of vision or of eye are possible
- contact lens use increases the risk (bacteria can reside in deposits on lenses)

Marginal Keratitis
- an infiltrative immune response to staphylococcal exotoxins which form intraepithelial infiltrates in the mid-peripheral cornea. Lesions (0.5 to 1.5 mm in diameter and may be flat or raised) are always islands, single or multiple on the peripheral margin, separated by clear cornea
- corneal edema is usually mild to moderate and can produce a haze around the infiltrates. Corneal involvement is most vulnerable at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions, but lesions may also be superior or circumlimbal. The bulbar conjunctiva is hyperemic
- unilateral painful watery eyes with sandy/gritty sensation
- treatment depends on the degree of presentation and includes warm compresses, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and steroids. cycloplegic drops decrease pain by limiting pupil dilation and contraction
- discontinue CLs until condition clears

Recurrent Corneal Erosion (Image: Corneal Abrasion)
- symptoms: acute pain associated with lacrimation, photophobia, and a foreign body sensation
- may be associated blepharospasm and blurring of the vision
- symptoms may subside over the course of the day and start again in the morning upon opening the eyes (movement of eyelid removes newly formed epithelial cells) - unpredictable, leads to anxiety
- vision is rarely permanently affected, but complications include infectious keratitis, corneal scarring, possibility of decreased VA
- treat with lubricating ointment nightly for three months (even after symptoms subside), or sometimes a bandage/therapeutic lens

Cataract
clouding of the crystalline lens, congenital or with age
Hypoxia
Corneal Hypoxia
- caused by an insufficient supply of oxygen to the cornea as a result of contact lens wear
- the underlying cause of many complications of contact lens wear and the most common cause of corneal edema
- to treat hypoxia, the water content or oxygen permeability of the lenses should be increased by reducing lens thickness or changing lens material. patient can also remove and rehydrate lenses more frequently

Microcornea
- a smaller than normal cornea with an HVID of 10mm or less, often very steep
- fit with an appropriately steep base curve

Recurrent Corneal Erosion (Image: Corneal Abrasion)
- symptoms: acute pain associated with lacrimation, photophobia, and a foreign body sensation - usually occur on waking
- may be associated blepharospasm and blurring of the vision
- symptoms may subside over the course fo the day and start again in the morning upon opening the eyes (lid movement removes newly formed epithelial cells) – unpredictable, leads to anxiety
- vision is rarely permanently affected, but complications include infectious keratitis, corneal scarring, possibility of decreased VA
- treat with lubricating ointment nightly for three months (even after symptoms subside), or sometimes a bandage/therapeutic lens to protect newly forming cells

Scars from Radial Keratotomy
a surgery performed to correct myopia

Acanthamoeba Keratitis
- caused by parasites that can be found in soil, fresh, brackish, and sea water, hot springs, sewage, swimming pools, or on improperly cleaned contact lens equipment
- affects primarily the cornea and sclera
- If not treated properly and immediately, this disease can result in complete loss of vision
- more common in CL wearers because deposits on lenses can give the parasite something to hold onto and prevent it from being flushed out by tears

Dimple Veiling
a bubble under a RGP that has broken up into lots of tiny bubbles
this makes “dimples” in the epithelium that will pool with fluorescein immediately after the lens is removed but will disappear within a few minutes

Acanthamoeba Keratitis
- caused by parasites that can be found in soil, fresh, brackish, and sea water, hot springs, sewage, swimming pools, or on improperly cleaned contact lens equipment
- affects primarily the cornea and sclera
- If not treated properly and immediately, this disease can result in complete loss of vision
- more common in CL wearers because deposits on lenses can give the parasite something to hold onto and prevent it from being flushed out by tears

Blepharoptosis/Ptosis
- drooping of the upper eyelid
- may cause difficulty with contact lens centration, but if a satisfactory fit can be obtained, contact lens wear can be successful

Conjunctivitis
- inflammation of the conjunctiva
- allergic – discontinue contact lens wear for the duration
- viral or bacterial – discontinue contact lens wear for the duration, and dispose of soft contact lenses (or disinfect GPs) to prevent reinfection

Superior Limbic Keratoconjunctivitis (SLK)
- an inflammatory reaction induced by wearing soiled hydrogel lenses, which cause excessive movement
- signs include intense laxity and hyperemia of the superior bulbar conjunctiva, fine papillary hypertrophy of superior tarsal conjunctiva, epithelial and subepithelial infiltrates, and superior corneal and limbal punctate staining
- treatment is temporary discontinuation of lens wear for several weeks to months – old lenses should be discarded, and frequent replacement of lenses (preferably switching to daily disposable) or switching to GPs is urged
- Theodore SLK (associated with thyroid disfunction) must be ruled out

Fleischer’s Ring
- a type of pigmented dystrophy consisting of partial or complete iron deposition in the deep epithelium encircling the base of the cone in eyes with keratoconus
- appears as a yellowish to dark-brown coloured ring and can best be seen using a cobalt blue light with a slit lamp

Krukenberg’s Spindle
- brownish, vertical, spindle-shaped pigment deposits on the posterior cornea
- look for old uveitis or pigment dispersion syndrome
- all patients who have Krukenberg’s spindle should be closely monitored for glaucoma

Corneal Abrasion
an abrasion of the cornea caused by a foreign body or other mechanical irritation
makes the eye more susceptible to infection
contact lens wear should be discontinued until it heals unless there is recurrent corneal abrasion/erosion (where the eyelid opening in the morning removes the newly formed epithelial cells – in this case a bandage lense can be used to facilitate healing by giving the new epithelial cells more time to become integrated into the corneal structure







































































































