Pathology

Question 1

What is cataracts?

Answer 1

Opacification of the lens

Question 2

What is the general pathology behind cataracts?

Answer 2

Epithelium of the lens matures
Cell contents alter
Cell de-nucleates
Cell becomes fibrous and more opaque

Question 3

What external factor is most most linked with developing cataracts?

Answer 3

UVB exposure

Question 4

List some external factors which increase the risk of cataracts.

Answer 4

Hypertension
Smoking
Post operative
Trauma
Metabolic disorders
Genes
Infection

Question 5

What is glaucoma?

Answer 5

Abnormal increase intra orbital pressure.

Question 6

Where does the fluid within the eye generally drain out of?

Answer 6

Within anterior chamber through the trabecular.

Question 7

Where does blockage occur to inhibit fluid drainage?

Answer 7

Generally within the trabecular or in the canal of schlemm.

Question 8

What happens in Primary Opened Angled Glaucoma?

Answer 8

Blockage of the drainage

Normal fluid production

Question 9

What happens in Angle Closure Glaucoma?

Answer 9

Normal fluid production
Normal drainage
Blockage elsewhere within the system.

Question 10

In Angle Closure Glaucoma where does the blockage occur?

Answer 10

Lens shifts and blocks the iris preventing fluid entering the anterior chamber.

Question 11

How does someone with an open angled glaucoma present?

Answer 11

Slow onset and often asymptomatic

Question 12

What is the treatment for a primary opened angled glaucoma?

Answer 12

Pharmacologically aimed at widening the drainage trabecular.

Question 13

How does someone present with an angled closure glaucoma?

Answer 13

Medical emergency - vision loss isn't uncommon
Acute red eye
Visual loss
Severe pain
Headache
N+V

Question 14

In a glaucoma what should you look for with a fundoscopy?

Answer 14

Cupping of the optic nerve
Depression in the centre and rolled edges
Looks widened

Question 15

What is papilloedema?

Answer 15

Non specific symptom of a raised ICP

Swelling of the optic disc

Question 16

What is conjunctivitis?

Answer 16

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

Question 17

How does someone with conjunctivitis present?

Answer 17

Eye and orbit looks swollen inflamed
Excess discharge and gunk
Red eye

Question 18

What is the aetiology of conjunctivitis?

Answer 18

Usually viral
Occasionally bacterial
If bilateral its generally allergic

Question 19

How does someone with scleritis present?

Answer 19

Pain on movement of they eye

Inflamed sclera

Question 20

What autoimmune conditions should be associated with scleritis?

Answer 20

SLE

BLA B27 “ankylosing spondylitis

Question 21

What is BLA 27 associated with?

Answer 21

Ankylosing spondylitis

Question 22

What is the aetiology behind Episcleritis?

Answer 22

Generally no known cause

Question 23

What are the differences between Episcleritis and Scleritis?

Answer 23

Scleritis - Rarer and more severe

Episcleritis -Superficial and self limiting

Question 24

What types of macular degeneration are there?

Answer 24

Age Related
Dry
Wet

Question 25

What is seen on fundoscopy for someone with age related macular degeneration?

Answer 25

Accumulation of lipids, proteins and inflammatory mediators.

Question 26

What is the name given to the accumulation of lipids proteins and inflammatory mediators?

Answer 26

Drusen

Question 27

What alongside age is related to Age Related Macular Degeneration?

Answer 27

Underlying inflammatory process

Question 28

What is the difference between wet and dry macular degeneration?

Answer 28

In wet there is vascular proliferation

Question 29

What regulates the vascular proliferation in wet macular degeneration?

Answer 29

VEGF | Vascular Epidermal Growth Factor

Question 30

Why does the vascular proliferation lead to increased intra retinal haemorrhages?

Answer 30

The new vessel are leaky with poorly formed vessel walls.

Question 31

What is the treatment for someone with wet macular degeneration?

Answer 31

Monoclonal antibodies for VEGF

Question 32

Why does hyperglycaemia cause visual disturbances?

Answer 32

Alters the osmotic pressure within the anterior chamber.

Question 33

What visual conditions are all linked to diabetes?

Answer 33

Peripheral neuropathy Argyll Roberson Pupil Cataracts Diabetic retinopathy Rubertic glaucome

Question 34

How does does diabetes increase the risk of cataracts?

Answer 34

Increased sugar content within the cells and the conversion of glucose in to sorbitol.

Question 35

What does retinopathy look like in fundoscopy?

Answer 35

Haemorrhage New leaky vessels Small aneurysms Oedema

Question 36

What is rubertic glaucoma?

Answer 36

New vessels formation obstructing the trabecular

Question 37

What does Central Retinal Artery Occulsion look like on fundoscopy?

Answer 37

Pale washed out retina | Cherry red spot within the optic disc

Question 38

What does Central Retinal Vein Occlusion look like on fundoscopy?

Answer 38

Bulging vessels Cloudy Haemorrhage

Question 39

What is Commotio Retinae?

Answer 39

Bruised retinae Self resolving Can cause visual disturbances if big enough

Question 40

What is Hyphema ?

Answer 40

Blood within the anterior chamber look for fluid level

Question 41

What does retinal detachment look like on fundoscopy?

Answer 41

Crumpled appearance in the veins and throughout the retina.