EENT Flashcards
presbyopia
hardening of lens. close vision problems. nearly all >/= 45 y/o need reading glasses or other similar correction.
senile cataracts
lens clouding. progressive vision dimming, distance vision problems, close vision usually retained & often initially improves. risk factors: tobacco use, poor nutrition, sun exposure, systemic corticosteroid tx. potentially correctable w/ surgery, lens implant.
open-angle glaucoma
painless, gradual onset of inc’d intraocular pressure leading to optic atrophy. loss of peripheral vision if untx’d, avoidable & ongoing intervention. >/= 80% of all glaucoma. periodic screening w/ tonometry, assessment of visual fields. tx w/ topical miotics, beta blockers, others, or surgery effective in vision preservation.
angle-closure glaucoma
sudden increase in intraocular pressure. usually unilateral, acutely red, painful eye w/ vision change including halos around lights; eyeball firm when compared to other. immediate referral to ophthalmology care for rapid pressure reduction via medication, possible surgery.
age-related maculopathy (macular degeneration)
thickening, sclerotic changes in retinal basement membrane complex. painless vision changes including distortion of central vision. On funduscopic exam, drusen (soft yellow deposits in the macular region) often visible. aside from aging, risk factors incl: tobacco use, sun exposure, & fam hx. dry form- no tx available. wet form- laser tx for photocoagulation to obliterate neovascular membrane; intravitreal inj of anti-vascular growth factor.
anosmia, hyposmia
neural degeneration. diminished sense of smell, w/ resulting decline in fine taste discrimination. accelerated by tobacco use.
presbycusis
loss of 8th CN sensitivity. difficulty w/ conversation in noisy environment. person can hear but can’t understand what is said. accelerated by excessive noise exposure. hearing aids helpful.
cerumen impaction
conductive hearing loss. general diminution of hearing. removal helpful in improving hearing.
