Sem 1 Flashcards
(604 cards)
What key factors are altered in contact lens design to correct vision?
Total diameter
Base curve (central back optic zone radius)
Optic zone size
Peripheral lens design
Optic zone is most important as it aligns with the pupil.
Why do patients choose to wear contact lenses?
Alternative to glasses (sports, cosmetics)
Eye colour change (tinted lenses)
Myopia control
Recommendation by others
Convenience (full-time or occasional wear)
Available in daily wear (DW) or extended wear (EW) schedules.
Name common contact lens types by design and use.
Spherical RGP: For near-spherical corneas
Soft hydrogel: For minimal astigmatism, common daily/fortnightly/monthly lenses
Bitoric/Back toric RGP: For highly astigmatic corneas
Multifocals: Rigid or soft, with ADD power zones
Tinted/Coloured CLs: Cosmetic or prosthetic use
Front toric RGPs: For residual lenticular astigmatism
Toric soft CLs: For high corneal astigmatism.
What other specialty CL types are used for specific needs?
Post-surgical lenses
Orthokeratology (OK-RGPs)
Myopia control lenses
Lens choice depends on ocular refraction, corneal shape, pupil size, and lid anatomy.
How is spectacle refraction converted to contact lens ocular plane refraction?
Formula: F_CL = F_spec / (1 – d * F_spec)
Important for spectacle powers >4D
Example: Spec Rx -2.00 / -2.25 x 180 becomes approx. -2.00 / -2.00 x 180 at ocular plane.
How is corneal astigmatism (Delta K) calculated?
Delta K = K2 – K1
K1 = Flatter axis, K2 = Steeper axis
Example: K1 43.00D @ 180, K2 45.00D @ 90 → Delta K = 2.00D @ 180.
Why are rigid lenses better for managing corneal astigmatism?
Rigid CLs neutralise irregular corneal shape by forming a new refractive surface via the tear lens, while soft lenses drape over and adopt the corneal shape.
What is the clinical significance of classifying astigmatism as WTR or ATR?
Helps in lens selection and fitting strategy.
WTR (steeper vertical meridian) vs ATR (steeper horizontal meridian) influences stabilisation methods and lens design choice.
Which muscles control blinking and lid opening?
Orbicularis oculi: Blink
Levator palpebrae: Lid opening
How can eyelid tone be described and assessed?
Described as tight, medium, loose, or floppy
Assessed via lid eversion observing tarsal plate firmness & thickness
Tighter lids can induce more CL movement
What are normal blink patterns, and what should be assessed?
Normal blink rate: ~12x/min
Assess for full, partial, or incomplete blinks
Look for twitching or squeezing blinks
What are the key functions of the tear film?
Optical clarity
Nourishment
Protection
Lubrication
Depends on eyelid health, hygiene, and tear composition (electrolytes, proteins, lipids, mucins)
How does the eye receive oxygen?
Mainly from atmosphere via tear film
Some from limbal region
Small amount via aqueous humour through corneal endothelium
What are peri-limbal arcades and why are they important?
Small blood vessels around limbus (~1mm zone)
Important for oxygenation and ensuring mucous membrane continuity to prevent CL migration behind eye
What are the horizontal and vertical diameters of the cornea?
Horizontal: 11.8 mm
Vertical: 10.6 mm
Thinner centrally than peripherally
How is corneal power calculated from radius of curvature?
Formula: 337.5 / radius (mm)
Refractive index (RI) of cornea: 1.376
Another formula: (1.3375 – 1) / r
How does a keratometer measure corneal curvature?
Measures radius of curvature using doubling technique
Cornea reflects light like a convex mirror
Common methods:
Javal-Schiotz: Align edges/crosses
Bausch & Lomb (B&L): Overlap crosses
Range: 37–52D, extendable with trial lenses
How does an RGP correct corneal astigmatism?
RGP neutralises corneal astigmatism through the tear lens
Tear lens creates equal and opposite cylinder power
Result: Reduces refractive astigmatism by same amount as corneal astigmatism
Example: Spec Rx -2.00 / -1.50 x 180 → How is the CL power chosen?
Keratometry shows -1.50DS x 180 (corneal astigmatism)
Tear layer neutralises this
Final CL power needed: -2.00DS (sphere only, no cyl)
What does a videokeratoscope measure, and what methods does it use?
Measures central corneal contours.
Uses: Placido disks, Stereophotogrammetry, Scanning slit, Interferometry. Greater ring spacing = flatter cornea.
What is the normal shape of the cornea, and where is curvature maximal?
Shape: Prolate (aspheric). Max curvature: Corneal apex.
What are axial (sagittal) maps used for in corneal topography?
Represent refractive power overview. Centres of rotation constrained to videokeratoscope axis. Good for CL fitting & general corneal shape assessment.
How do tangential (instantaneous) maps differ from axial maps?
Show accurate local irregularities & location. No constraint on centre of rotation. Useful for complex lens fitting & optical analysis.
Why is corneal topography clinically useful?
Maps corneal shape non-invasively. Diagnoses Keratoconus, Pellucid Marginal Degeneration, etc. Monitors progression over time. Simulates contact lens design.