Retinopathy Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is the macula
The central area of the retina- functional centre of the eye- gives us the ability to see 20/20 and provides best colour vision
How is the optic nerve found?
Tracing any of the blood vessels to the point of coalescence
What is Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a form of micro-angiopathy causing damage to the small blood vessels of the retina as a result of hyperglycaemia
Stages of DIabetic Retinopathy
Background diabetic retinopathy
Pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Advanced diabetic retinopathy
What are microaneurysms
Localised outpouchings of capillaries that leak plasma constituents into the retina
Dot and blot haemorrhages origin and appearance?
Arise from bleeding capillaries in the middle layers of the retina
Sign that background diabetic retinopathy has progressed to the pre-proliferative stage
Presence of retinal ischaemia
What are cotton wool spots?
Small, fluffy, whitish superficial lesions
What is proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Insufficient retinal perfusion results in the production of VEGF. Results in the development of new vessels on the retina
Advanced diabetic retinopathy?
Recurrent vitreous haemorrhage from bleeding areas of neovascularisation. Tractional retinal detachments as areas of neovascularisation grow into the vitreous forming fibrous bands
What is pan-retinal photocoagulation?
The primary treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Clinically seen as clusters of burn marks on the retina
What is diabetic maculopathy
Presence of exudates and or macular oedema
What are hard exudates
Waxy yellow lesions with relatively distinct margins arranged in clumps or rings- often surrounding leaking micro aneurysms
Malignant Hypertension presentation
Typically presents with grade 4 hypertensive eye disease- with the optic disc swelling
Initial management of malignant hypertension
Antihypertensives and emergency hospital admission
Optic nerve pathologies- glaucomatous disc changes
Defined as progressive optic neuropathy- associated with visual field loss and raised intraocular pressure
Papilloedema/Optic nerve swelling causes
Papilloedema refers to optic disc swelling secondary to raised ICP. Causes: intracranial space-occupying lesions, optic neuritis, malignant hypertension and uveitis
What is optic nerve atrophy?
Death of nerve fibres within the optic nerve- pale optic disc as opposed to usual pink appearance
What is primary and secondary nerve atrophy
Primary optic nerve atrophy- caused by inflammation, glaucoma or general retinal ischeamia
Secondary optic nerve atrophy- longstanding papilloedema
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO)
Sudden, profound loss of vision- caused by emboli obstructing the retinal artery
Classical appearance is a cherry red spot
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion causes
Secondary to atherosclerotic thickening of the central retinal artery compressing the central retinal vein
Occlusion of the vein results in retinal hypoxia
Age- related macular degeneration causes and effects on the elderly population?
Degernative disorder of the macula and most common cause of irreversible blindness in elderly population
