Ophthalmolgy Flashcards
(125 cards)
Open Angle Glaucoma
- Raised intraocular pressure caused by blockage in aqueous humour draining from the eye
- Raised pressure causes cupping of the optic disc and optic nerve damage
Acute Close Angle Glaucoma
- Ophthalmological emergency
- The iris bugles forward, sealing off the trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber and preventing aqueous humour from draining
- Pressure builds in the posterior chamber, pushing the iris forward and exacerbating the angle closure
Blepharitis
- Blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margins.
- It may due to either meibomian gland dysfunction (common, posterior blepharitis) or seborrhoeic dermatitis/staphylococcal infection (less common, anterior blepharitis). Blepharitis is also more common in patients with rosacea
Stye
- An infection of the glands of Zeis or glands of Moll.
- The glands of Moll are sweat glands at the base of the eyelashes.
Chalazion
- A chalazion occurs when a Meibomian gland becomes blocked and swells.
- It is often called a Meibomian cyst.
Entropion
Entropion refers to when the eyelid turns inwards with the lashes pressed against the eye.
Ectropion
- Refers to when the eyelid turns outwards, exposing the inner aspect.
- It usually affects the bottom lid. This can result in exposure keratopathy, as the eyeball is exposed and not adequately lubricated and protected.
Trichiasis
- Trichiasis refers to inward growth of the eyelashes.
- It results in pain and can cause corneal damage and ulceration.
Cataracts
A progressively opaque eye lens which reduces the light entering the eye and visual acuity
Central retinal arterial occlusion
- A relatively rare cause of sudden unilateral visual loss.
- It is due to thromboembolism (from atherosclerosis) or arteritis (e.g. temporal arteritis)
Central retinal vein occlusion
Blockage of a retinal vein causes venous congestion in the retina.
Increased pressure results in fluid and blood leaking into the retina, causing macular oedema and retinal haemorrhages.
This results in retinal damage and vision loss.
Can be ischaemic or non-ischaemic
Chronic glaucoma
- This type of glaucoma is painless and usually discovered by checks during routine sight tests made by your optician.
- The pressure of the fluid (aqueous) in the eye damages the sensitive optic nerve which carries visual information to your brain enabling you to see.
- This causes vision damage which is irreversible.
Conjunctivitis
- Inflammation of the conjunctiva
- A thin layer of tissue that covers the inside of the eyelids and the sclera
Diabetic eye disease
- Damage to the retinal blood vessels due to prolonged high blood sugar levels
- Increased vascular permeability
- Yellow-white deposits of lipids and proteins in the retina
- Microaneurysms
- Venous beading
- Damage to the nerve fibres in the retina causes fluffy white patches called cotton wool spots to form on the retina
- Intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMA)
- Neovascularisation
Infective keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea
Iritis (anterior uveitis )
- Inflammation of the anterior uvea. - The uvea consists of the iris, ciliary body and choroid.
- The anterior chamber becomes infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages.
- One of the important differentials of a red eye
Macular degeneration
- A progressive condition affecting the macula, it is the most common cause of blindness in the UK and is often unilateral but may be bilateral
There are 2 types - Wet (neovascular) 10% of cases
- Dry (non-neovascular) 90% of cases
Optic neuritis
- The most common presentation of MS
- Involves the demyelination of the optic nerve with unilateral reduced vision developing over hours to days
- Central scotoma (an enlarged central blind spot)
- Pain with eye movement
- Impaired colour vision
- Relative afferent pupillary defect
Periorbital cellulitis
- An infection of the soft tissues anterior to the orbital septum
- This includes the eyelids, skin and SC tissue of the face but not the contents of the orbit
- Orbital includes infection of the orbital septum and is a much more serious condition
Orbital cellulitis
- The result of an infection affecting the fat and muscles posterior to the orbital septum, within the orbit but not involving the globe.
- A medical emergency requiring hospital admission and urgent senior review
Posterior vitriol detachment
The neurosensory layer of the retina (containing photoreceptors and nerves) separating from the retinal pigment epithelium (base layer attached to the choroid)
Vitreous haemorrhage
- Bleeding into the vitreous humour
- One of the most common causes of sudden painless loss of vision
- Can cause disruption to vision to a variable degree, ranging from floaters to complete vision loss
Squint
- Strabismus is characterised by misalignment of the visual axes
- Can be divided into
- Concomitant (common)
- Paralytic (rare)
Retinal detachment
The neurosensory layer of the retina (containing photoreceptors and nerves) separating from the retinal pigment epithelium (base layer attached to the choroid)