Retina

Question 1

Tapeto-Retinal Degeneration

Answer 1

Group of retinal degenerations 2’ to endogenous inflammatory processes, i.e. “Hereditary Abiotrophy.” Prototypical condition: Retinitis Pigmentosa. Also includes conditions such as Snowflaked Vitreoretinal Degeneration.

Question 2

Why is the fovea prone to detachment with VMT compared to other areas of traction?

Answer 2

Rods contain more areas of attachment to microvilli v. cones, and the fovea is composed entirely of cones.

Question 3

Define Category 2 ARMD according to AREDS (Early AMD)

Answer 3

20/30 or better VA. More than 10 small hard drusen near the fovea or intermediate drusen (64 - 124 micron width). Minimal RPE changes.

Question 4

Define Category 3 ARMD according to AREDS (Intermediate AMD)

Answer 4

One large drusen, 20 or more intermediate “soft drusen, 65 or more intermediate “hard drusen,” or geographic atrophy NOT involving the macula.

Question 5

Define Category 4 ARMD according to AREDS (Advanced AMD)

Answer 5

Geographic Atrophy involving the center of the macula, Classic / occult neovascularization, PED, or a fibrovascular disciform scar.

Question 6

What gene is implicated as a major risk factor for AMD? How does a defect in this gene affect a patient’s risk of AMD?

Answer 6

Complement Factor H (CFH). Patients are 2.5 - 5.5 times more likely to develop AMD with a defective CFH gene.