optics Flashcards
how is light focused onto the fovea of the eye
what is cornea and lens power
- A clear view to the retina.
- The length of the eye.
- The power, measured in diopters (D), of the refractive components of the eye,
mainly the cornea (40D) and lens (20D).
what is axial length and when does it lengthen
eyeball is measured from the corneal surface to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/Bruch membrane.
first 3-6 months of life
Newborn: 16 mm
3 years: 22.5 mm
13 to 18 years (adult length): 24 mm
length from lens to retina in adults is
17mm
what is myopia & how can it be classified
principle focus of light lies before reaching the retina.
low (−6D).
myopia can be caused by
● Axial myopia: Large eyes (axial length >24 mm). Most common cause.
● Index myopia: High refractive power as seen in conditions such as
keratoconus or nuclear sclerotic cataract.
methods that may be helpful in slowing myopic progression
● Use of atropine (lower doses of atropine were more effective with fewer side effects than higher doses [1]) and pirenzepine drops.
● Outdoor activity: It is thought that too much near work may contribute in myopic progression (2).
● Bifocals and progressive lenses.
Mx for myopia
● Spherical concave lenses (glasses or contact lenses).
● Keratorefractive surgery: Uses laser to reshape the cornea and so changing
its refractive power. In myopia, the central corneal tissue is ablated, making the central cornea flatter. Common procedures used are photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), LASIK or LASEK.
Caution: Contact lens wearers should withhold wearing their lenses for at least 14 days for soft lenses and at least 1 month for rigid gas-permeable (RGP) lenses. Similarly, this precaution is used for hypermetropic surgery.
what is hypermetropia and its classification
the principle focus of light lies beyond the retina.
low (+5D)
hypermetropia can be caused by
● Small eyes (axial length <24 mm)
● Low refractive power: As seen in aphakic patients (absence of the lens) and
patients with flat corneas
ass of hypermetropia
esotropia
angle-closure glaucoma, retinoschisis
uveal effusion syndrome (nanophthalmos)
amblyopia in children.
Mx of hypermetropia
● Spherical convex lenses.
● Keratorefractive surgery: Procedures used are similar to those used in
myopia; however, the peripheral corneal tissue is ablated in hypermetropia resulting in a steeper central cornea.
what are spherical convex lenses
These are also called minus lenses, and they resemble two prisms placed base to base
how do spherical convex lenses work
They work by converging light and are used in managing hypermetropia by bringing the image formed behind the retina closer to land on the retina.
what are spherical concave lenses
These are also called plus lenses and they resemble two prisms placed apex to apex
how do spherical concave lenses work
They work by diverging light and are used in managing myopia by bringing the image formed in front of the retina further to land on the retina.
how do you calculate the power of lenses
The power of the lens is measured in diopters. It is equal to the reciprocal of the focal length (f) in metres:
Power = 1/f
what is astigmatism
refractive power of the eye is not the same in all meridians (directions) due to a change in the shape of the lens or cornea’s curvature, frequently described as ‘rugby ball-shaped’
image is formed as a Sturm’s Conoid
what is diurnal variations
in corneal shape, flattest in the morning, as a result of changes in eyelid pressure and muscle tension
what is regular astigmatism
The principle meridians, termed steepest and flattest meridians, are 90° from each other.
Further classified as:
With-the-rule astigmatism: Occurs when the vertical meridian
(90°) is the steepest. It is corrected with a plus cylinder lens between 60° and 120°.
Against-the-rule: Occurs when the horizontal meridian (180°) is the steepest. It is corrected with a plus cylinder lens between 150° and 30°. Oblique: Occurs when the principle meridians are neither at 90° nor 180°. It is corrected with a plus cylinder lens between 31° and 50° and 121°–149°.
what is irregular astigmatism
Principle meridians are not perpendicular to each other. Occurs in conditions such as keratoconus or corneal ulcers.
Mx of astigmatism
● Soft toric lenses: Combination of spherical and cylindrical lenses.
● RGP contact lenses are usually used for irregular astigmatism.
what are cylindrical lenses
contain a cylinder in a single plane surface
focus the length into a line rather than a point
one meridian only
what is transposition
converting a minus cylindrical lens to a plus cylindrical lens and vice versa.
where is transposition used
frequently used in toric lens prescriptions.