Opthalmology Flashcards
(199 cards)
What is the vitreous chamber of the eye? Describe the anatomy.
The largest chamber of the eye, located behind the lens and in front of the optic nerve. It is filled with vitreous humour.
What is the anterior chamber of the eye? Describe the anatomy.
Located between the cornea and iris. It is filled with aqueous humour.
What is the posterior chamber of the eye? Describe the anatomy.
Located between the lens and iris. It is filled with aqueous humour.
Where is aqueous humour produced?
Ciliary body.
Describe the flow of aqueous humour in the eye.
Flows from the ciliary body around the lens and under the iris, through the anterior chamber, through the trabecular meshwork and into the canal of Schlemm.
What is normal intraocular pressure?
10-21 mmHg.
Define glaucoma.
Optic nerve damage secondary to raised intraocular pressure.
Describe the pathophysiology of open-angle glaucoma.
Gradual increase in resistance through the trabecular meshwork. It is more difficult for aqueous humour to exit the eye and pressure increases within the eye.
Give examples of risk factors for the development of open-angle glaucoma.
Increasing age, family history, black ethnicity, near-sightedness.
How does open-angle glaucoma present clinically?
Loss of peripheral vision that eventually develops into tunnel vision. Fluctuating pain, headaches, blurred vision and halos.
Open-angle glaucoma: What are halos?
Bright circles of light that surround lights, particularly at night.
How is open-angle glaucoma diagnosed?
Measure intraocular pressure by non-contact tonometry or contact tonometry.
What investigations (other that tonometry) should be performed in suspected open-angle glaucoma?
Visual field assessment.
Fundoscopy.
Open-angle glaucoma: What is the difference between non-contact tonometry and contact tonometry?
Non-contact tonometry uses air to estimate pressure whereas contact tonometry makes direct contact with the cornea.
What might fundoscopy reveal in open-angle glaucoma?
Optic disc cupping.
What is the first-line management of open-angle glaucoma?
Prostaglandin analogue drops such as latanoprost.
Describe how latanoprost treats open-angle glaucoma.
Increases uveoscleral outflow.
Open-angle glaucoma: What are two side effects of latanoprost use?
Eyelash growth.
Eye discolouration.
What medications (other than latanoprost) can be used in the management of open-angle glaucoma?
Beta-blockers (timolol).
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide).
Describe how timolol and acetazolamide treat open-angle glaucoma.
Reduces production of aqueous humour.
What is acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Ophthalmology emergency. Optic nerve damage secondary to raised intraocular pressure.
Describe the pathophysiology of acute angle-closure glaucoma?
The iris bulges forward and seals of the trabecular meshwork from the anterior chamber, preventing drainage of aqueous humour and resulting in a continual build-up of pressure in the eye.
Give examples of risk factors for acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Increasing age, female sex, family history, East-Asian ethnicity.
Give examples of medications which increase the risk of developing acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Adrenergic medications (noradrenaline). Anticholinergic medications (oxybutynin, solifenacin). Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline).