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Title: Ophthalmology lecture notes
Description: A very comprehensive and detailed set of notes covering all aspects of ophthalmology. Complete with a nice set of diagrams to aid learning. Useful for medical students.

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Extracts from the notes are below, to see the PDF you'll receive please use the links above


OPTHALMOLOGY  LECTURE  NOTES  
 
VISUAL  PATHWAYS  
The  retina  is  a  light-­‐sensitive  layer  of  tissue,  lining  the  inner  surface  of  the  eye
...
   Light  striking  the  retina  initiates  a  cascade  of  chemical  and  electrical  events  that  ultimately  
trigger  nerve  impulses
...
   This  information  is  then  processed  and  results  in  “vision”
...
  The  
only   neurons   that   are   directly   sensitive   to   light   are   the   photoreceptor   cells
...
 Rods  function  mainly  in  dim  light  (scotropic)  and  provide  black-­‐and-­‐white  
vision,  while   cones   support   daytime  vision   (phototropic)   and  the  perception  of  colour
...
g  pupillary  light  reflex)   and  also  transmits  information  to  the  suprachiasmatic  nuclei  in  
the  hypothalamus  (important  for  the  bodies  master  circadian  rhythm)
...
g
...
  Several   important   features   of   visual  
perception  can  be  traced  to  the  retinal  encoding  and  processing  of  light
...
  However,   they   are   not   sensitive   to   colour
...
   
Rods   are   primarily   responsible   for   night/low   light   vision   (scotopic   vision)   and   black   and  
white  vision
...
  Cones   mediate   day  
vision   (photopic   vision)   and   are   sensitive   to   one   of   three   different   colors   (green,   red   or  
blue)
...
3  mm  diameter  rod-­‐free  area  
with   very   thin,   densely   packed   cones
...
   The  fovea  
is   responsible   for   sharp   central   vision   (also   called   foveal   vision),   which   is   necessary   in  
humans  for  reading,  driving,  and  any  activity  where  visual  detail  is  of  primary  importance
...
   

Approximately  50%  of  the  nerve  fibers  in  the  optic  nerve  carry  information  from  the  fovea  
(macula  region),  while  the  other  50%  carry  information  from  the  rest  of  the  retina
...
  In   the   fovea,   there   are   very   few   rods   (with   none   at   the  
foveola)
...
  The   cones   are   also   packed   closer   together   here   in   the  
fovea  than  in  the  rest  of  the  retina
...
 
It  comprises  less  than  1%  of  retinal  size  but  takes  up  over  50%  of  the  visual  cortex  in  the  
brain
...
    If   an   object   is   large   and   thus   covers   a   large   angle,  
the   eyes   must   constantly   shift   their   gaze   to   subsequently   bring   different   portions   of   the  
image  into  the  fovea  (as  in  reading)
...
  This  
allows  the  light  to  be  sensed  without  any  dispersion  or  loss  e
...
 so  light  has  a  direct  path  to  
the  photoreceptors
...
   
• The   high   spatial   density   of   cones   along   with   the   absence   of   blood   vessels   at   the   fovea  
accounts  for  the  high  visual  acuity  capability  at  the  fovea
...
2   mm   in   diameter)   -­‐   a   central   pit   where   only  
cone  photoreceptors  are  present  and  there  are  virtually  no  rods
...
   
• At   the   foveola   there   is   a   unique   1   cone:   1   bipolar   cell   :   1   ganglion   cell   connection
...
 We  are  not  aware  of  this  because  
we  instinctively  direct  our  center  of  gaze  to  where  we  are  looking
...
 



There  are  very  few  rods  in  the  fovea  and  at  the  foveola,  there  are  no  rods  at  all
...
   



Moreover,   in   the   fovea,   the   retinal   ganglion   cells   have   smaller   receptive   fields   (therefore  
better  spatial  resolution,  occurs  due  to  unique  1  cone  to  1  bipolar  cell  conection),  and  in  the  
periphery,  they  have  much  larger  receptive  fields  (multiple  cones/rods  synapse  onto  single  
ganglio  cell  via  bipolar  neurones)  



Curiously,   despite   the   vitality   of   cones   to   our   vision,   we   have   125   million   rods   and   only   6  
million  cones
...
 The  peak  density  of  cones  is  in  our  fovea
...
 



The  fact  that  our  vision  has  the  highest  acuity  in  the  center  of  gaze  does  not  mean  that  our  
vision   in   the   rest   of   the   visual   field   is   inferior   -­‐   it’s   simply   used   for   different   things
...
   



Our   foveal   vision   is   optimized   for   fine   details,   and   our   peripheral   vision   is   optimized   for  
coarser  information
...
  It   receives   visual   information   from  
photoreceptors  via  two  intermediate  neuron  types:  bipolar  cells  and  amacrine  cells
...
g
...
 



Retinal  ganglion  cells  vary  significantly  in  terms  of  their  size,  connections,  and  responses  to  
visual  stimulation  but  they  all  share  the  defining  property  of  having  a  long  axon  that  extends  
into  the  brain
...
   



A   small   percentage   of   retinal   ganglion   cells   contribute   little   or   nothing   to   vision,   but   are  
themselves  photosensitive;  their  axons  contribute  to  circadian  rhythms  and  pupillary  light  
reflex
...
 



The  appearance  of  an  object  depends  primarily  on  the  contrast  between  the  object  and  its  
background-­‐  not  the  intensity  of  the  light  source
...
g
...
    It   can   also   be   thought   of   as   an   "area   in   which  
stimulation  leads  to  response  of  a  particular  sensory  neuron"  



In  the   fovea,   each   ganglion   cell   only  receives   input   from   one   cone   (via   a   bipolar   cell)   which  
results   in   a   small   receptive   field
...
g
...
    The   receptive   field   of   the  
ganglion  cell  consists  of  information  from  many  rods  and  cones  e
...
 the  brain  receives  less  
high  spatial  frequency  information  =>  lower  visual  acuity  



The   size   of   the   receptive   field   governs   the   spatial   frequency   of   the   information:   small  
receptive  fields  (e
...
 in  the  fovea)  are  stimulated  by  high  spatial  frequencies  which  provides  
fine   detail   information;   large   receptive   fields   are   stimulated   by   low   spatial   frequencies,  
which  provide  coarse  detail  information
...
    Therefore  
small  receptive  fields  are  better  at  distinguishing  finer  details  (analogous  to  smaller  sensory  
receptive  fields  in  finger  tips  being  able  to  sense  fine  discriminatory  touch)  
 

Central  Visual  Pathways  
The  retinal  image  and  the  visual  field  are  not  the  same  e
...
 due  to  lens  inversion  
Retina  is  divided  at  the  midline  (fovea):  


Nasal  hemiretina  (medial  to  the  fovea)  which  receives  the  ipsilateral  hemifield  



Temporal  hemiretina  (lateral  to  fovea)  which  receives  the  contralateral  hemifield  

Retina  is  sub-­‐divided  into:  


Superior  quadrant  



Inferior  quadrant  

 
The  “visual  field”  is  the  view  seen  by  the  two  eyes  without  movement  of  the  head  


The  left  and  right  halves  of  the  field  are  simply  defined  when  the  foveas  are  fixed  on  a  single  
point
...
   



The   pink   dot   (right   half   of   the   visual   field)   is   imaged   on   the   nasal   (N)   portion   of   the   right   eye  
and  the  temporal  portion  (T)  of  the  left  eye
...
   



In   mammals   with   forward   facing   eyes,   e
...
  primates   and   carnivores,   the   majority   of   axons  
carrying   information   from   the   temporal   retina   projects   ipsilaterally   (i
...
  does   NOT  
decussate)   (light   blue   and   pink)   and   those   from   the   nasal   retina   decussate   and   travel  
contralaterally  (dark  blue  and  pink)
...
g
...
     



Therefore   the   right   visual   field   is   received   by   the   left   visual   cortex,   and   the   left   visual   field  
is   received   by   the   right   visual   cortex   (as   a   result   of   the   decussating   and   non-­‐decussating  
paths)  



After   the   optic   chiasm,   the   optic   tracts   feed   into   the   dorsal   lateral   geniculate   nucleus  
(dLGN)  of  the  thalamus,  wehere  the  axons  segregate  into  eye  specific  zones
...
 

 
 
Central  projections  from  the  retina    


Axons  of  ganglion  neurones  exit  the  retina  at  the  optic  disc  



They  then  become  myelinated  and  form  the  optic  nerve  



The   optic   nerve   (CN   II)     and   retina   is   part   of   the   CNS,   developing   as   an   outgrowth   of   the  
ventral  diencephalon  (the  optic  nerve  is  commonly  misclassified  as  a  peripheral  nerve)  



The   optic   nerves   travel   to   the   optic   chiasm   where   the   axons   are   sorted   and   rearranged  
(after  decussation)  into  the  optic  tracts    
 

The  optic  tracts  project  to  subcortical  regions  in  the  brain  


The  optic  tracts  project  to  subcortical  regions  in  the  brain  e
...
 LGN  of  thalamus,  pretectum  
of  midbrain  and  superior  collicilus    



Lateral   Geniculate   Nucleus   of   the   thalamus:   processes   information   and   projects   onto   the  
primary   visual   cortex   via   optic   radiations
...
     



Pretectum   (midbrain   structure):   controls   pupillary   reflexes   e
...
    The  
pretectum   area   communicates   bilaterally   with   the   Edinger–Westphal   nuclei   (accessory  
parasympathetic   cranial   nerve   nuclei   of   the   oculomotor   nerve   CN   III)   to   bring   about   the  
bilateral  pupil  reflexes
...
     



During   development,   each   axon   must   therefore   make   an   unerring   decision   about   which   side  
of  the  brain  to  innervate  when  it  reaches  the  optic  chiasm!    



Rememeber   that   the   visual   cortex   receives   an   inverted   image   of   the   world   due   to   lens  
inversion  –  it  then  anti-­‐inverts  it!      



It  is  also  important  to  remember  that  the  retina  receives  an  inverted  image  of  the  real  workd  
–  therefore  a  lesion  of  the  superior  retina  will  result  in  a  lower  visual  field  defect    

 
The  Lateral  Geniculate  Nucleus  (LGN)  


The  Lateral  Geniculate  Nucleus  (LGN)  of  the  thalamus  is  the  principal  terminus  for  input  to  
the  visual  cortex
...
 



Approximately  90%  of  axons  from  the  retina  terminate  in  the  LGN  



Without  this  pathway  visual  perception  is  absent    



In   each   LGN   there   is   retinotopic   representation   of   the   the   contralateral   half   of   the   visual  
field
...
 



The   fovea   has   the   greatest   density   of   ganglion   cells   and   has   a   relatively   greater  
representation  than  does  peripheral  regions  of  the  retina  



The   receptive   fields   of   the   LGN   have   a   similar   organization   to   that   of   retinal   ganglion  
neurones   –   concentric   receptive   fields   with   an   antagonistic   centre-­‐surround   measuring  
contrast  in  light  intensity
...
   

 

 

 
 
Receptive  fields  in  the  visual  cortex  


Neurones  in  V1  (primary  visual  cortex)  respond  to  line  or  bar  stimuli  



Achieved  by  decomposing  the  outlines  of  a  visual  image  into  short  line  segments  of  various  
orientations
...
 



Receptive   fields   of   cells   (simple)   in   the   primary   visual   cortex   are   narrow   elongated   zones  
with  flanking  zones  of  excitation  or  inhibition
...
   A  saccade  is  a  fast  eye  motion,  and  because  it  is  a  motion  
that   is   optimised   for   speed,   there   is   inevitable   blurring   of   the   image   on   the   retina,   as   the  
retina  is  sweeping  the  visual  field
...
  Humans   become   effectively   blind  
during  a  saccade
...
 



Fixation   intervals   between   saccades   in   which   gaze   is   held   almost   stationary   and   fixated   at  
the  point  of  interest    



The   saccade-­‐fixation   eye   movements   allow   us   to   redirect   our   central   vision   rapidly   to   a  
region  of  interest  (for  high  visual  acuity)  and  are  visually  directed  



Why?   Fovea   has   an   astonishingly   small   angular   diameter   (0
...
025%  of  retinal  surface  



To  see  what  we  are  looking  at  in  detail  require  to  move  the  eye  so  that  object  is  centred  on  
the  fovea
...
   This  is  a  closed  velocity  feedback  loop    

 
Gaze  


The  objective  of  the  gaze  control  system  is  to  move  the  eyes  relative  to  space  so  that  the  
fovea,  or  line  of  sight,  is  placed  and  subsequently  kept  on  a  target  of  interest
...
   



Gaze  =  eye-­‐in-­‐head  +  head-­‐in-­‐space  



The  superior  colliculus  controls  the  direction  and  the  amplitude  of  the  entire  gaze  shift    

 
Pretectal  region  


The  pretectal  region  of  the  midbrain  (mesencephalon)  controls  pupillary  reflexes  



Light  shining  in  one  eye  causes  constriction  of  both  the  ipsilateral  pupil  (direct  response)  and  
contralateral  pupil  (consensual  response)  



The   neural   pathway   mediating   pupillary   light   reflexes   starts   in   the   retinal   photosensitive  
ganglion  neurones  that  project  to  the  midbrain  (pretectum)    



The   neurones   in   this   area   project   bilaterally   to   the   pre-­‐ganglioninic   parasympathetic  
neurones  in  the  accessory  CN  III  occulomotor  nucleus  (Edinger-­‐Westphal  nucleus)    



The   efferent   outflow   is   in   the   occulomotor   nerve   (Cranial   nerve   III)   to   the   ciliary   ganglion  
then  onto  and  muscles  of  the  iris  (contrictor  pupillae)  via  postganglion  fibre
...
     Similarly  the  consensual  response  will  also  be  absent  in  
the  left  eye
...
   May  also  have  a  blown  out  pupil  (CN  III  nuclei  damage)
...
 



Characteristic  deficits  in  the  visual  field  are  associated  with  lesions  at  specific  sites  

 
 
1
...
  Lesion   in   the   optic   chiasm   results   in   loss   of   vision   in   the   temporal   halves   of   the   visual   fields-­‐   a  
bitemporal  hemianopia
...
 
3
...
   Left  homonymous  hemianopia  due  to  lesion  or  pressure  on  right  optic  tract
...
g
...
   No  macular  sparing
...
   Left  homonymous  inferior  quadrantanopia  due  to  involvement  of  upper  (due  to  lens  inversion)  
right  optic  radiations
...
     
6
...
   No  macular  sparing
...
   Left  homonymous  hemianopia  due  to  lesion  of  right  occipital  lobe  (primary  visual  cortex)
...
   The  periphery  
is   much   less   represented   and   therefore   more   easily   destroyed   by   an   individual   lesion
...
 
NB:   After   processing   in   the   Lateral   Geniculate   Nucleus   (LGN)   of   the   thalamus,   axons   representing  
both  retinas  (from  the  same  visual  field)  mix  in  the  optic  radiation
...
   This  is  because  the  axons  are  dispersed  in  the  optic  radiations,  resulting  in  partial  or  
incomplete  defects  in  the  contralateral  visual  hemifield
...
 



Accommodation  acts  like  a  reflex,  but  can  also  be  consciously  controlled
...
   Note  that  the  refractive  power  of  the  cornea  is  fixed
...
  It   is   dependent   on   cranial   nerve   II   (afferent   limb   of  
reflex),   superior   centres,   and   cranial   nerve   III   (parasympathetic   innervations   of   the   pupil  
and  ciliary  muscles)
...
    For   example,  
accommodation  allows  the  eye  to  focus  up  close
...
     



To  maintain  stereoscopic  vision  for  close  objects  the  following  processes  have  to  occur:    
! Accommodation   (lens   accommodation):   The   curvature   of   the   lens   is   increased  
(becomes   more   convex   =>   greater   convergence)   producing   accommodation  
(increase  of  lens  +ve  dioptre  power)  
! Miosis   (pupil   accommodation):   The   pupil   constricts   (miosis)   to   mask   the   poor  
image  forming  edges  of  the  lens  and  increase  a  depth  of  field
...
 



The   reflex,   controlled   by   the   parasympathetic   nervous   system,   involves   three   responses;  
pupil   accommodation   (miosis),   lens   accommodation   (increase   in   lens   +ve   dioptre   power  
due  to  increasing  convexity  of  lens),  and  convergence  (vergence  of  eyes)  



So  we  look  for  vergence  and  miosis  –  and  also  ASK  the  pt  if  they  can  still  focus  on  the  near  
object
...
 Changes  in  contraction  of  the  ciliary  muscles  alter  the  focal  distance  (and  
thus  power)  of  the  eye  (lens),  causing  nearer  or  farther  images  to  come  into  focus  on  the  
retina;  this  process  is  known  as  accommodation
...
  When   moving   focus   from   a   distant   to   a   near   object,   the  
eyes   converge
...
  The   pupil   constricts   in   order   to   prevent   diverging   light   rays   from   hitting   the  
periphery  of  the  retina  and  resulting  in  a  blurred  image
...
     

 
(a)  Schematic  representation  of  suspensory  ligaments  extending  from  the  ciliary  muscle  to  the  outer  
edge   of   the   lens
...
  (d)   When   the   ciliary   muscle   is   contracted  
(parasympathetic   innervations),   the   suspensory   ligaments   become   slack,   reducing   the   tension   on   the  
lens
...
 
 
Pupillary  light  reflex  



Afferent  =  RETINA  and    CN  II  (optic  nerve)  



Efferent  =  CN  III  (oculomotor  –  parasympathetic  fibres)  


 

The  pupillary  light  reflex  is  an  automatic  luminance  control  mechanism
...
     



The   crystalline   lens   is   a   transparent,   biconvex   (convergent   lens   with   a   positive   power)  
structure  in  the  eye  that,  along  with  the  cornea,  helps  to  refract  light  to  be  focused  on  the  
retina
...
  This   adjustment   of   the   lens   is   known   as   lens  
accommodation
...
 



The  iris  is  a  thin,  circular  structure  in  the  eye,  responsible  for  controlling  the  diameter  and  
size  of  the  pupil  (aperture)  and  thus  the  amount  of  light  reaching  the  retina
...
"  



In  optical  terms,  the  pupil  is  the  eye's  aperture  and  the  iris  is  the  aperture  stop
...
   
 

 
 
Refraction  by  convex  and  concave  lenses  


A   lens   with   a   convex   surface   (normal   shape   of   lens   in   eye)   will   converge   the   rays   (brings  
them  closer  together)
...
g
...
   Concave  
lens  have  negative  dioptre  powers  =>  diverge  rays  



The  crystalline  lens  of  the  eye  is  a  transparent,  biconvex  structure  in  the  eye  that,  along  with  
the  cornea,  helps  to  refract  light  to  be  focused  (converged)  onto  the  retina
...
 This  adjustment  of  the  lens  is  known  as  lens  
accommodation
...
   



Power  is  proportional  to  1/focal  length  (e
...
 power  is  inversely  proportional  to  focal  length),  
therefore   increasing   the   convexity   =>   decrease   in   focal   length   =>   increase   the   power  
(positive  power)
...
  The   lens   can   then   assume   a  
stronger,  rounder  shape  (more  convex)  because  of  its  elasticity  =>  decrease  in  focal  length  
=>  increase  the  power  (positive  power)  i
...
 increase  the  +ve  dioptre  power
...
 The  lens  is  more  flat  on  its  anterior  side  than  on  its  posterior  side
...
  External   lens   (glasses   or   contact   lens)   can   be   concave   and   diveregent   (-­‐ve   dioptre  
power)
...
   


A
...
 



B
...
 A  longer  distance  is  required  for  a  lens  of  a  given  strength  to  bend  the  
diverging   rays   from   a   near   light   source   into   focus   compared   to   the   parallel   rays   from   a  
distant  light  source
...
     



C
...
g
...
   Basically  this  states  that  a  
light   ray   entering   a   denser   medium   (higher   refractive   index)   is   bent   towards   a   line  
perpendicular  to  the  surface
...
 



Parallel  rays  passing  into  a  denser  medium  with  a  convex  surface  or  less  dense  medium  with  
a  concave  surface  are  brought  into  focus  as  a  function  of:    
! radius  of  curvature  (determinant  of  focal  length)  
! ratio  of  refractive  indices  of  the  media
...
    The   corneas   power   is   fixed   (although   provides   largest   refractive   component),  
whereas  the  lens  can  alter  its  power  (through  accommodation)
...
34
...
42
...
 
Dioptre   units   (D)   are   used   to   describe   the   refractive   power   of   a   lens   (characterized   as  
1/focal  length  of  the  lens  in  metres  =>  small  focal  lengths  have  large  powers)
...
    A   20  
dioptre   lens   brings   parallel   rays   of   light   to   focus   at   1/20   metre
...
     



The  refractive  power  of  the  cornea  alone  is  approximately  40-­‐44  dioptres  (not  adjustable)  



It   is   the   variable   refractive   power   of   the   lens   which   allows   accommodation   (changing   of  
lens  dioptre  power)  to  focus  on  distant  and  near  objects
...
  This   ability   to  
adjust   focus   is   called   “accommodation
...
 People  over  the  age  of  25  can  
only   increase   the   power   by   10   diopters
...
  This   severe   natural   deterioration   is   what   doctors   call  
presbyopia   (age   related   longsightedness/hyperopia)   e
...
  as   we   age   we   get   progressively  
worse  vision  at  looking  at  objects  up  close  due  the  diminished  ability  to  increase  the  power  
of  the  lens  (loss  of  accommodation)
...
  Mammals,   birds  
and  reptiles  vary  the  optical  power  by  changing  the  form  of  the  elastic  lens  using  the  ciliary  
body   (in   humans   up   to   a   maximum   of   20   diopters   in   youth)   which   is   under   parasympathetic  
(CN  III)  control  



Lens   is   held   between   the   zonules   of   Zinn   (ring   of   fibrous   strands   connecting   the   ciliary   body  
with  the  crystalline  lens  of  the  eye)  



The  ciliary  body  is  the  circumferential  tissue  inside  the  eye  composed  of  the  ciliary  muscle  
(intra-­‐ocular  muscle)  and  ciliary  processes
...
 It  changes  the  shape  of  the  lens  within  

the  eye,  not  the  size  of  the  pupil  which  is  carried  out  by  the  sphincter  pupillae  and  dilator  
pupillae  muscles  of  the  iris
...
   Contraction  of  the  ciliary  muscles  
results   in   the   suspensory   ligaments   (of   the   zonules   of   ZInn)   to   relax   and   the   radial   tension  
around   the   lens   is   released-­‐   allowing   the   natural   tension   of   the   lens   to   manifest
...
 
 

 
 
Refractive  error  disorders  


It’s  critical  that  the  lens  system  is  matched  to  the  size  of  the  eyeball  



Emmetropia   =   normal   eye   where   a   far   source   focused   on   retina   without   accommodation  
and  a  near  source  focused  on  retina  with  accommodation  



Myopia  =  Short-­‐sightedness  (e
...
 problems  with  distant  vision):  Eyeball  too  long  or  lens  is  
too   strong
...
    Near   source   focused   on   retina   with   accommodation
...
g
...
 



Hypermetropia   (hyperopia)   =   Long-­‐sightedness   (problems   with   near   vision):   Eyeball   too  
short  or  lens  is  too  weak
...
    Corrected   with   convergent  

convex  lens  (positive  power  e
...
   Corrected  with  convex  lens  (positive  power  e
...
 This  process  allows  the  eye  to  focus  on  near  objects
...
   
The  suspensory  ligaments  relax  and  the  radial  tension  around  the  lens  is  released-­‐  allowing  
the   natural   tension   of   the   lens   to   manifest
...
 



The   maximum   refractive   power   of   the   lens   is   approximately   20   dioptres   in   youth   (which  
gradually  declines  with  age)  



The  focusing  power  of  the  lens  is  variable,  its  focal  length  range  is  limited  by  its  elasticity  and  
the  contractile  power  of  the  ciliary  muscles
...
   



Correspondingly,  the  furthest  point  that  can  be  focused  on  the  retina  is  referred  to  as  the  far  
point
...
07m   and   Y=infinity,   thus   the  
amplitude  of  accommodation  is    14  dioptres
...
   To  move  closer  than  9m  the  
curvature  of  the  lens  has  to  increase  e
...
 the  lens  becomes  more  convex
...
     

 
Summary  


Light  is  refracted  in  the  eye  (by  the  cornea  and  lens)  



Most   of   that   refraction   in   the   eye   takes   place   at   the   first   surface   (cornea),   since   the  
transition  from  the  air  into  the  cornea  is  the  largest  change  in  index  of  refraction  which  the  
light  experiences
...
 



However,   while   the   inner   lens   is   the   smaller   portion   of   the   refraction,   it   is   the   total   source  
of  the  ability  to  accommodate  the  focus  of  the  eye  for  the  viewing  of  close  objects
...
 



The  lens  focuses  an  inverted  image  on  the  retina  and  photoreceptors  



Image  formation  has  physical  limitations  



Visual  defects  include    

! Myopia   (short   sightedness   with   a   long   eye)   which   is   corrected   with   divergent  
concave  (negative  power)  lens  
! Hypermetropia   (hyperopia   or   long   sightedness   with   a   short   eye)   which   is  
corrected  with  a  convergent  convex  (positive  power)  lens  
! Presbyopia   (age   related   longsightedness):   With   age   the   elastic   properties   of   the  
lens   deteriorate   so   that   the   amplitude   of   accommodation   is   reduced
...
   Therefore,  most  adults  need  reading  
glasses  (convergent  convex  lens  with  positive  power)  at  age  40-­‐45
...
 The  visual  image  (inverted)  from  the  lens  is  
focused  on  the  retina  with  minimal  distortion
...
  This  
functions   to   absorb   light   which   prevents   light   not   captured   by   the   retina   being   reflected  
back
...
    In   addition,   the   fovea  
region  is  avascular  to  enhance  central  visual  acuity
...
   There  are  no  photoreceptors  in  this  
region  therefore  we  have  a  blind  spot  in  the  visual  field
...
     

 
 
The  retina  has  3  classes  of  neurones  


Photoreceptors:  rods,  cones  and  photosensitive  ganglion  cells  



Interneurones  which  process  signals  from  photoreceptors:  bipolar,  horizontal  and  amacrine  
cells    



Ganglion  cells:  output  of  retina  whose  axons  form  the  optic  nerve  

 

 
 
Rods  and  cones  are  not  evenly  distributed  across  the  retina  


Cones  are  most  densely  packed  in  the  fovea  but  still  found  at  a  reasonable  density  in  the  
periphery
...
   Many  rods  are  found  in  the  periphery  (and  indeed  are  
the   most   numerous   retinal   neurone   in   total)   and   are   most   densely   packed   12-­‐15°   into   the  
periphery
...
 
Filled  with  light  absorbing  visual  pigments  (rods  only  have  one  type)  



Inner  segment:  located  proximally-­‐  contains  nucleus  and  biosynthetic  mechanisms  



Synaptic  terminal:  communicates  with  photoreceptor’s  target  cells      

 

 
 
 
 
Phototransduction  
Visual  phototransduction  is  a  process  by  which  light  is  converted  into  electrical  signals  in  the  rod  
cells,  cone  cells  and  photosensitive  ganglion  cells  of  the  retina  of  the  eye
...
 
3  Stages:  


Light  is  absorbed  by  and  activates  pigment  molecules  in  the  photoreceptor  e
...
 the  pigments  
rhodopsin  (rods)  and  photopsins  (cones)
...
   



Reduction  in  [cGMP]  in  the  cytoplasm  closes  ion  channels,  resulting  in  a  hyperpolarizing  shift  
of  membrane  potential    



Very  complicated  process:  lets  not  get  carried  away  with  the  details!  

 
Colour  Vision  


Colour   vision   requires   ≥   2   types   of   photoreceptors   with   different   spectral   sensitivities   (e
...
   



Colour  vision  enriches  visual  perception,  but  in  itself  is  a  poor  indicator  of  spatial  detail  



Full  colour  image  gives  information  on  variations  in  brightness  and  colour  



Colour  only  (purely  chromatic)  image:  spatial  detail  is  poor  and  has  no  information  regarding  
brightness  (cones)  



Black  and  white  image  (achromatic)  gives  good  information  on  spatial  detail  and  regarding  
variations  in  brightness  (rods)  

 
Colour  blindness  


Color  blindness,  or  color  vision  deficiency,  is  the  inability  or  decreased  ability  to  see  color,  or  
perceive  color  differences,  under  normal  lighting  conditions
...
 



There  is  no  actual  blindness  but  there  is  a  deficiency  of  color  vision
...
  This   type   of   color  
blindness  is  usually  a  sex-­‐linked  condition  (X  linked)  =>  highest  prevalence  in  males  



The  genes  that  produce  photopigments  are  mostly  carried  on  the  X  chromosome;  if  some  
of   these   genes   are   missing   or   damaged,   color   blindness   will   be   expressed   in   males   with   a  
higher  probability  than  in  females  because  males  only  have  one  X  chromosome  (in  females,  
a   functional   gene   on   only   one   of   the   two   X   chromosomes   is   sufficient   to   yield   the   needed  
photopigments  via  random  X  linked  inactivation)
...
      These   people  
are  dichromats,  and  they  can  only  match  any  color  they  see  with  some  mixture  of  just  two  
primary  colors  (whereas  normally  humans  are  trichromats  and  require  three  primary  colors)
...
   Reduction  
in  information  can  lead  to  confusion  and  can  affect  their  lives  on  a  daily  basis  



This  is  exploited  by  tests  for  colour  blindness  for  example,  the  Ishihara  test    
 

 

 
 


In  principle,  there  can  be  3  subtypes  types  of  dichromacy  due  to  loss  of  each  of  the  3  types  
of  cone
...
   



Loss  of  L  (red)  cones  is  termed  protanopia  (red  protons)  –  X  linked    



Loss  of  M  (green)  cones  is  termed  deuteranopia  (green  neuter)  –  X  linked    



Protanopia  and  deuteranopia  normally  occur  in  males,  frequency  ~  1%
...
   
Tritanopia  affects  males  and  females  with  equal  frequency  (1  in  10,0000)  as  the  gene  is  on  
chromosome  7  (autosmomal,  not  sex  linked)
...
     



Formed  by  the  cilliary  body  epithelium  in  the  posterior  chamber    



It  is  located  in  the  anterior  and  posterior  chambers  of  the  eye,  the  space  between  the  lens  
and  the  cornea
...
     



The  posterior  chamber  is  the  narrow  space  posterior  to  the  peripheral  part  of  the  iris,  and  in  
front  of  the  suspensory  ligament  of  the  lens  and  the  ciliary  processes  



It  helps  maintain  the  shape  of  the  eye  and  its  circulation  transports  nutrients  and  waste
...
 



It  contains  ascorbate,  a  powerful  antioxidant
...
  It   is   produced   by   an   energy  
dependent   process   in   the   epithelial   layer   of   the   ciliary   body   into   the   posterior   chamber   of  
the  eye
...
 A  small  amount  diffuses  through  
the  vitreous  being  absorbed  across  the  retinal  pigment  epithelium
...
 This  is  called  ‘open’  
angle  glaucoma  because  the  angle  (iridoconreal  angle)  is  clear
...
     



The   figure   below   shows   how   the   world   might   look   to   a   person   with   glaucoma
...
  Charachterised   by  
ARCUATE  SCOTOMA
...
   



The  aqueous  humor  is  also  the  route  for  nutrient  transport  to  the  avascular  lens
...
 



Outcome:   net   movement   of   Cl-­‐   and   Na+   through   the   cells   from   interstitial   fluid   to   aqueous  
humor   is   accompanied   by   water   moving   through   ciliary   epithelial   cell   water   channels,  
aquaporins   and   through   the   paracellular   pathway   down   the   osmotic   gradient   created   by  
solute  movement    



Therefore  aqueous  humour  flows  into  the  posterior  chamber  



This  process  can  be  blocked  by  CA  inhibitors  (used  in  treatment  of  glaucoma)  



Intraocular   pressure   is   mainly   determined   by   the   coupling   of   the   production   of   aqueous  
humor  and  the  drainage  of  aqueous  humor  mainly  through  the  trabecular  meshwork  located  
in  the  anterior  chamber  



The   balance   between   secretion   and   drainage   maintains   an   intracocular   pressure   of  
approximately  17  mmHg  above  atmospheric  



Intraocular   pressure   (IOP)   is   the   fluid   pressure   inside   the   eye
...
  IOP   is   an   important   aspect   in   the   evaluation   of  
patients   at   risk   from   glaucoma
...
     Normal  IOP  =  10-­‐21  mmHg
...
 



In   the   set   of   diseases   termed   ‘glaucoma’,   raised   intra-­‐ocular   pressure   is   caused   by   an  
imbalance   between   the   rates   of   secretion   and   removal   of   aqueous   humor
...
     



Strategies   for   treatment   of   this   condition   are   directed   at   reducing   the   rate   of   secretion   of  
the  aqueous  humor  



Carbonic  anhydrase  inhibitors  will  reduce  production  of  aqueous  humor  and  are  therefore  
used  to  reduce  intra-­‐ocular  pressure  in  glaucoma  
! Dorzolamide  is  administered  as  eye  drops  (thus  avoiding  systemic  side  effects)  
! Acetazolamide   is   administered   orally   (thus   also   targeting   kidney   causing   a  
metabolic  acidosis  and  a  compensatory  respiratory  alkalosis)
...
 It  is  often  referred  to  as  the  vitreous  body  
or  simply  "the  vitreous"
...
 



 This   can   permanently   damage   vision   in   the   affected   eye(s)   and   lead   to   blindness   if   left  
untreated
...
 



Increasing   intra-­‐occular   pressure   (IOP)   causes   displacement   of   the   lens   backwards   into   the  
vitrous   humor
...
     



The   outcome   is   that   unless   treated   the   neuronal   elements   of   the   retina   and   optic   nerve  
sustain  damage  



Disturbances   of   colour   vision   are   common   as   cones   seem   to   be   more   susceptible   to   damage  
compared  to  rods  



Glaucoma   can   be   roughly   divided   into   two   main   categories,   "open-­‐angle"   and   "closed-­‐
angle"  glaucoma
...
   



Closed-­‐angle   glaucoma   can   appear   suddenly   (acutely)   and   is   often   painful;   visual   loss   can  
progress   quickly,   but   the   severe   discomfort/red   eye   often   leads   patients   to   seek   medical  
attention  before  permanent  damage  occurs
...
    Primary   open   angle   is   most   common   type   and   because   there   are   no  
conspicuous   structural   changes   in   the   anterior   chamber   it   is   hard   to   diagnose
...
   Silent  theif  of  sight
...
 

 
 
INTRODUCTION  TO  OPTHALMOLOGY  
Anatomy  
Orbit  of  the  skull  


The  orbit  is  the  cavity  or  socket  of  the  skull  in  which  the  eye  and  its  appendages  are  situated
...
 



The  structures  entering  through  the  superior  orbital  fissure  are  as  follows:  
! Cranial  nerves  (CN)  III,  IV,  and  VI  (3,4,  and  6  makes  the  eye  do  tricks)  
! CN  V1:  lacrimal,  frontal  and  nasociliary  branches  of  ophthalmic  (V1)
...
   It  
is   composed   of   non-­‐keratinized,   stratified   columnar   epithelium   with   goblet   cells
...
    It   also   contributes   to   immune   surveillance   and  
helps  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  microbes  into  the  eye
...
   The  sclera  
is  continuous  with  the  cornea  (which  sits  anterior  to  pupil  and  lens)  



Cornea:  The  cornea  is  the  transparent  front  part  of  the  eye  that  covers  the  iris,  pupil,  and  
anterior  chamber
...
   In  humans,  
the   refractive   power   of   the   cornea   is   approximately   +43   dioptres
...
 The  curvature  of  the  lens,  on  
the  other  hand,  can  be  adjusted  to  "tune"  the  focus  depending  upon  the  object's  distance
...
       



Uvea   (iris,   ciliary   body,   choroid   -­‐   ICC):   The   uvea   is   the   vascular   middle   layer   of   the   eye
...
  It   is  
traditionally  divided  into  three  areas,  from  front  to  back:  iris,  ciliary  body  and  choroid
...
  The   color   of   the   iris   is  
often  referred  to  as  "eye  color
...
   The  cornea  covers  the  iris  and  pupil
...
    It   is   coated   by   a   double  
layer,  the  ciliary  epithelium
...
    There   are   three   sets   of   ciliary   muscles   in   the   eye
...
  The   ciliary   body  
receives   parasympathetic   innervation   from   the   oculomotor   nerve   (CN   III)
...
    It   also   anchors   the  
lens   in   place
...
 This  causes  the  lens  to  form  a  more  spherical  shape  (more  convex  =>  
more   convergent   =>   smaller   focal   length)   achieving   a   higher   level   of   refractive  
power   (positive),   generally   improving   the   focus   for   closer   objects
...
 One  of  the  essential  roles  of  the  
ciliary  body  is  also  the   production  of  the  aqueous  humor,  which  is  responsible  for  
providing  most  of  the  nutrients  for  the  lens  and  the  cornea  and  involved  in  waste  
management   of   these   areas
...
g
...
    CA   inhibition   leads   to   the   lowering   of   aqueous   humor  
production  and  causes  a  subsequent  drop  in  the  intraocular  pressure
...
g
...
  The   choroid   provides   oxygen   and   nourishment   to   the   outer   layers   of  
the  retina
...
 



Lens:   The   crystalline   lens   is   a   transparent,   biconvex   (converegent   with   a   positive   dioptre  
power)  structure  in  the  eye  that,  along  with  the  cornea,  helps  to  refract  light  to  be  focused  
on   the   retina
...
  This   adjustment   of   the   lens   is   known   as  
accommodation
...
     



Retina:  light-­‐sensitive  layer  of  tissue,  lining  the  inner  surface  of  the  eye
...
 
Light  striking  the  retina  initiates  a  cascade  of  chemical  and  electrical  events  that  ultimately  
trigger   nerve   impulses
...
 



Aqueous  humour:  transparent,  gelatinous  fluid  similar  to  plasma,  but  containing  low-­‐protein  
concentrations
...
   It  is  located  in  the  anterior  and  posterior  chambers  of  the  eye,  
the  space  between  the  lens  and  the  cornea
...
    CA   is   an   essential  
enzyme   for   production   of   aqueous   humour
...
   
Maintains   the   intraocular   pressure   and   inflates   the   globe   of   the   eye
...
g
...
 



Vitreous  humour:  clear  gel  that  fills  the  space  between  the  lens  and  the  retina  of  the  eyeball  
of  humans  and  other  vertebrates
...
 

 
 

 
 
Duplex  Retina  


A  duplex  retina  is  a  retina  consisting  of  both  rod  cells  and  cone  cells
...
g
...
   The  vessels  of  the  optic  disc  leave  the  
disc  nasally
...
g
...
g
...
     
 

 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Ocular  adnexae  


Lids:      An  eyelid  is  a  thin  fold  of  skin  that  covers  and  protects  the  eye
...
    The   orbicularis   oculi   (CN   VII)   is   a   muscle   in   the   face   that   closes   the   eyelids  
(NOT  opens)  
! Ptosis  (drooping  of  upper  or  lower  eyelid)   occurs  when  the  muscles  that  raise  the  
eyelid   (levator   palpebrae   superioris   and   superior   tarsal   muscles)   are   not   strong  
enough  to  do  so  properly
...
e
...
     
! Ptosis  does  NOT  occur  in  CN  VII  palsy  (facial  nerve  controls  orbicularis  oculi  and  
frontalis  –  not  the  muscles  for  eye  lid  elevation)  



Lacrimal   gland:   paired   almond-­‐shaped   glands,   one   for   each   eye,   that   secrete   the   aqueous  
layer  of  the  tear  film
...
 



Lacrimal  sac:  The  lacrimal  gland  produces  tears  which  then  flow  into  canals  that  lead  to  the  
lacrimal  sac
...
   The  optic  nerve  is  ensheathed  in  all  three  meningeal  layers  (dura,  arachnoid,  and  
pia  mater)  rather  than  the  epineurium,  perineurium,  and  endoneurium  found  in  peripheral  
nerves
...
     



Optic   chiasm:   location   where   the   optic   nerves   (CN   II)   partially   decussate
...
   Axons  cross  over  to  transmit  the  contralateral  visual  field  to  the  opposite  side  of  
the   brain
...
 The  temporal  retina  images  (nasal  visual  field),  on  the  other  hand,  stay  on  the  same  
side
...
 



Visual  cortex  (close  relation  to  calcarine  sulcus  in  occipital  lobe)  

 
 

 
 
 
Pupillary  light  reflex  


Afferent  =  Retina  +  CN  II    



Efferent  =  CN  III  (parasympathetic)  



Light  shone  in  one  eye  elicits  a  pupillary  light  reflex  that  causes  both  the  ipsilateral  and  the  
contralateral  pupil  to  constrict  (the  direct  and  consensual  reflex,  respectively)
...
 Instead,  a  
special  subset  of  intrinsically  photosensitive  ganglion  cells  provide  the  afferent  limb  (CN  II),  
with   axons   that   distribute   bilaterally   in   the   optic   chiasm   and  terminate   in   the   pretectal   area  
(midbrain)
...
   



Because  light  in  either  eye  causes  both  the  ipsilateral  and  the  contralateral  pupil  to  constrict  
(direct  and  consensual  reflexes,  respectively),  both  pupils  ordinarily  will  be  pretty  much  the  
same  size  under  any  given  condition  of  illumination;  if  they   are  not  (anisocoria),  there  likely  
is  a  problem  with  the  autonomic  innervation  or  with  the  iris  itself
...
   



CN   IV   Trochlear:   innervates   superior   oblique   muscle   (SO4):   intorsion   and   depression   on  
adduction  



CN  V  Trigeminal:    
! CN   V1   (ophthalmic):   Sensory   innervation   to   the   cornea,   ciliary   body,   and   iris;   to  
the   lacrimal   gland   and   conjunctiva;   and   to   the   skin   of   the   upper   eyelids,   and  
eyebrow
...
   
Stimulation   should   elicit   both   a   direct   and   consensual   response   (response   of   the   opposite   eye)
...
1  second
...
 
The  reflex  is  mediated  by:  


Afferent:  ophthalmic  branch  (CN  V1)  of  CN  V  (trigeminal  nerve)  sensing  the  stimulus  on  the  
cornea,  lid,  or  conjunctiva  (avoid  touching  the  cornea!)  



Efferent:   CN   VII   (Facial   nerve)   initiating   the   motor   response   (blinking)   e
...
  contraction   of  
obicularis  occuli    

 
Refractive  Errors  


Emmetropia:  normal  eyes  with  no  refractive  error  



Hypermetropia  or  hyperopia  (long  sightedness  with  short  eye):  defect  of  vision  caused  by  an  
imperfection   in   the   eye   (often   when   the   eyeball   is   too   short   or   the   lens   cannot   become  
convex  enough),  causing  difficulty  focusing  on  near  objects,  and  the  image  forming  behind  
the  retina
...
   



Myopia  (shortsightedness  -­‐  what  I  have  –  with  long  eye):  condition  of  the  eye  where  the  light  
that  comes  in  does  not  directly  focus  on  the  retina  but  in  front  of  it  (often  because  eye  is  too  
long   or   lens   is   too   convex),   causing   the   image   that   one   sees   when   looking   at   a   distant   object  
to   be   out   of   focus,   but   in   focus   when   looking   at   a   close   object
...
 



Astigmatism:   optical   defect   in   which   vision   is   blurred   due   to   the   inability   of   the   optics   of   the  
eye  to  focus  a  point  object  into  a  sharp  focused  image  on  the  retina
...
   Corrected  with  toric  lens
...
   The  
ability  to  focus  on  near  objects  declines  throughout  life,  from  an  accommodation  of  about  
20  dioptres  (ability  to  focus  at  50  mm  away)  in  a  child,  to  10  dioptres  at  age  25  (100  mm),  
and   levels   off   at   0
...
   
Corrected  with  convex  (positive  dioptre  lens)  e
...
 reading  glasses
...
g
...
    Eye   diseases   such   as   cataracts,  
macular  degeneration  and  uveitis  can  cause  glare
...
  People   with   this  
condition   often   first   notice   this   when   looking   at   mini-­‐blinds   in   their   home
...
g
...
   Can  occur  as  a  result  of  several  different  medical  conditions,  
related   to   the   eye   or   the   nervous   system   including   migraine   headaches,   cataracts,   mild  
traumatic   brain   injury   (MTBI),   meningitis,   SAH,   or   severe   ophthalmologic   diseases   such   as  
uveitis  or  corneal  abrasion
...
     



Floaters:   Floaters   are   deposits   of   various   size,   shape,   consistency,   refractive   index,   and  
motility  within  the  eye’s  vitreous  humour,  which  is  normally  transparent
...
 At  a  
young  age,  the  vitreous  is  transparent,  but  as  one  ages,  imperfections  gradually  develop
...
   Often  associated  with  VH  or  RD
...
      A   more   common   cause   of   flashing   lights   is   migraine
...
     


Oscillopsia:   visual   disturbance   in   which   objects   in   the   visual   field   appear   to   oscillate
...
 
Oscillopsia   is   an   incapacitating   condition   experienced   by   many   patients   with   neurological  
disorders
...
  A   change   in   the   size   of   the  
vestibulo-­‐ocular   reflex   due   to   vestibular   disease   can   also   lead   to   oscillopsia   during   rapid  
head  movements
...
e
...
    It   is   usually   the  
result   of   impaired   function   of   the   extraocular   muscles   (EOMs),   where   both   eyes   are   still  
functional   but   they   cannot   converge   to   target   the   desired   object
...
g
...
   Diplopia  is  often  one  
of   the   first   signs   of   a   systemic   disease,   particularly   to   a   muscular   (myasthenia   gravis   or  
thryroid   eye   disease)   or   neurological   process   (MS,   INO,   cerebellar   disease   or   CN  
dysfunction),   and   it   may   disrupt   a   person’s   balance,   movement,   and/or   reading   abilities
...
g
...
     



Pain:  can  be  localised  or  referred,  perform  SOCRATES  



Discomfort  /  dryness  /  foreign  body  sensation  



 Abnormal  appearance  (red/swollen)  



Itch  



 Discharge  /  watering  /  epiphora  (overflow  of  tears  onto  the  face)    

 
General  Medical  History  


Relevant  systematic  enquiry  



Past  medical  history  (e
...
 DM,  thyroid  disease,  HT,  etc)  



Past  ophthalmic  history  



Family  history  (e
...
 glaucoma,  squint,  thyroid  disease)  



Drug  history  and  allergies  



Social  history:    pets,  travel  history  may  be  relevant,  DRIVING,  CONTACT  HISTORY  



Occupational  history  

 
Ophthalmic  Examination  


Work  from  anterior  to  deep  



Facial  appearance  



Lids,  lashes  and  lacrimal  system  (LLL)  



Conjunctiva  -­‐  where  is  the  redness?  



Cornea:  corneal  reflex,  opacity,  fluorescein  eye  drops  



Pupils:  symmetry,  shape,  size,  reflexes  



Iris  



Lens  



Red   reflex:   reddish-­‐orange   reflection   of   light   from   the   eye's   retina   that   is   observed   when  
using   an   ophthalmoscope   or   retinoscope   from   approximately   30   cm
...
   Many  eye  problems  may  be  detected  by  this  
test,  such  as:  cataracts  (show  leukocoria,  an  abnormal  white  reflection  from  the  retina  of  
the  eye)  or  retinoblastoma  (shows  leukocoria)
...
   RD  and  VH  can  also  cause  dimished  red  reflex
...
 



Medical   signs   that   can   be   detected   from   observation   of   eye   fundus   (generally   by  
funduscopy)  include  optic  disc  pathology,  hemorrhages,  exudates,  cotton  wool  spots,  blood  
vessel   abnormalities   (tortuosity,   pulsation   and   new   vessels)   and   pigmentation
...
 

   
 
Examination:  equipment  


Acuity  chart  (Snellen  chart)  +/-­‐  Ishihara  colour  perception  tests  



Pen  torch  



Magnifying  aid  



Ophthalmoscope  



Eye  drops  for  examination    
! Fluorescein   (orange   liquid):   Fluorescein   sodium   eyedrops   is   used   extensively   as   a  
diagnostic   tool   in   the   field   of   ophthalmology   and   optometry
...
  It   will   temporarily   stain   any   cells   it   enters  
and   therefore   marks   any   damaged   areas   of   the   eye
...
   Remember  that  the  cornea  is  continuous  with  
the  sclera
...
     
! Anaesthetic  drops  –  particulary  useful  for  removing  foreign  body    
! Mydriatic   drops:   topical   eye   drops   (e
...
  tropicamide,   cyclopentolate,   atropine,  
phenylephrine)   which   cause   mydriasis   (dilation   of   the   pupil)
...
 Purposely-­‐induced  mydriasis  
via   mydriatics   is   also   used   as   a   diagnostic   test   for   Horner's   Syndrome
...
g
...
   Remember  that  the  distance  of  measurement  (usually  6  metres)  is  recorded  
on   the   numerator
...
        With  
glasses,   without   glasses,   with   hat   pin
...
   Blindness  =  3/60
...
     



Colour  vision  (Ishihara  test)  



Visual  fields  (by  examination  or  with  machine)  including  testing  for  visual  neglect    



Blind  spot  (with  hat  pin  and  small  red  and  white  object)  

 
OCULAR  TRAUMA  
Ophthalmic  Casualties  
Physical  or  chemical  injuries  of  the  eye  can  be  a  serious  threat  to  vision  if  not  treated  appropriately  
and  in  a  timely  fashion
...
 This  
is   not,   however,   universally   true,   as   tiny   metallic   projectiles   may   cause   neither   symptom
...
   
Intraocular   foreign   bodies   (IOFBs)   do   not   cause   pain   because   of   the   lack   of   nerve   endings   in   the  
vitreous  humour  and  retina  that  can  transmit  pain  sensations
...
 Ideally,  ointment  would  not  be  used  when  referring  to  an  ophthalmologist,  
since  it  diminishes  the  ability  to  carry  out  a  thorough  eye  examination
...
g
...
   



Work  related  (often  minor)  



Household  related  e
...
 DIY  (hammering  metal  on  metal)  



Assault  (blunt  trauma  in  a  fist  fight)  



Accidents  around  the  home  



Sports  associated  eye  injury:  Sporting  balls  such  as  cricket  ball,  lawn  tennis  ball,  squash  ball),  
shuttle  cock  (from  Badminton)  and  other  high  speed  flying  objects  can  strike  the  eye  



Road  traffic  accidents  (RTAs)  with  head  and  facial  trauma  may  also  have  an  eye  injury  -­‐  these  
are  usually  severe  in  nature  with  multiple  lacerations,  shards  of  glasses  embedded  in  tissues,  
orbital  fractures,  severe  hematoma  and  penetrating  open  globe  injuries  with  prolapse  of  eye  
contents
...
   Immediately  irrigate
...
 It  
is  used  as  a  screening  test  for  many  corneal  disorders  including  corneal  post-­‐trauma,  corneal  
perforation   and   corneal   degeneration
...
  At   this   point,  
the  fluorescein  appears  green  in  color
...
    If   the   fluorescein   strip   turns   pale   upon  
application   to   the   corneal   surface,   the   person   tests   positive   for   the   corneal   deformity   he/  
she  is  being  tested  for
...
 



Use  fluorescein  drops  to  identify  area  of  epithelial  loss  –  do  this  after  Seidel  test    



Anaesthetic  drops  may  be  required  



CN  exam  

 
Blunt  trauma  
Blowout  fracture  


Blowout  fracture  of  the  orbit  is  caused  by  blunt  trauma,  classically  described  for  fist  or  ball  
injury,   leading   to   fracture   of   the   floor   or   medial   wall   of   the   orbit   due   to   sudden   increased  
pressure  on  the  orbital  contents
...
   



When   an   external   force   is   applied   to   the   orbital   cavity   from   an   object   whose   diameter   is  
larger   than   that   of   the   orbit,   the   orbital   contents   are   retropulsed   and   compressed
...
)  



Motor  vehicle  accidents  



Facial  trauma  

 
Traumatic  uveitis  


Uveitis   is,   broadly,   inflammation   of   the   uvea
...
 Uveitis  requires  
an  urgent  referral  and  thorough  examination  by  an  ophthalmologist  and  urgent  treatment  to  
control  the  inflammation
...
     



Anterior  uveitis  refers  to  an  inflammation  of  the  iris  and  ciliary  body
...
   



Uveitis  can  be  sight  threatening  =>  opthalmological  emeregency    
 

Clinical  features  of  uveitis  include:  


Painful  red  eye:  the  pain  can  range  from  mild  aching  to  intense  discomfort,  and  reading  or  
other   tasks   that   require   you   to   focus   your   eye   can   make   the   pain   worse   blurred   or   cloudy  
vision  



Constricted   pupil   with   cilliary   spasm   –   contributes   to   pain   (cycloplegics   such   as  
cyclopentolate  can  help)  



Redness  (injection)  is  centred  around  the  cornea  =>  circumcorneal  injection  (ciliary  flush)
...
  The   redness   is   also   more  
profound  in  uveitis  



Loss  of  peripheral  vision:  the  ability  to  see  objects  at  the  side  of  your  field  of  vision  



Seeing  flashing  lights  (flashers)  



Corneal  haze  and  distortion  



Sensitivity  to  light  (photophobia)  



Floaters:  shadows  that  move  across  the  field  of  vision  



Iris  synechiae  (pupil  distortion):  sign  of  uveitis  



Anterior  chamber  flare  (inflammatory  cells  floating  around  the  anterior  chamber)  



Hypopyon  (if  severe):  seen  as  yellowish  exudate  in  lower  anterior  chamber  of  eye
...
 
 

 
 
 

 

 
 
Hypopyon  


Hypopyon   =   inflammatory   cells   in   the   anterior   chamber   of   eye   (cellular   flare   which   have  
settled  down  at  bottom  of  chamber)  



It  is  a  leukocytic  exudate,  seen  in  the  anterior  chamber,  usually  accompanied  by  redness  of  
the  conjunctiva  and  the  underlying  episclera
...
e
...
 The  exudate  settles  at  the  bottom  due  
to  gravity
...
  It   may   appear   as   a   reddish  
tinge,  or  it  may  appear  as  a  small  pool  of  blood  at  the  bottom  of  the  iris  or  in  the  cornea  



Hyphemas  are  frequently  caused  by  injury,  and  may  partially  or  completely  block  vision
...
 

 

 
 
Other  complications  of  blunt  trauma  


Tearing  of  intra-­‐ocular  structures  



Blow  out  fracture  of  orbit  



Dislocated  lens  (ectopia  lentis)  



Retinal  detachment  



Choroidal  tear  



Optic  nerve  avulsion  

 
Penetrating  trauma  (large  objects)  


Lid  laceration  



Corneal  laceration  



Scleral  laceration  



Sympathetic  ophthalmia  

 
Sympathetic  ophthalmia  


Sympathetic   ophthalmia   (SO)   is   a   bilateral   diffuse   granulomatous   uveitis   (a   kind   of  
inflammation)  of  both  eyes  following  trauma  to  one  eye
...
   



Symptoms  may  develop  from  days  to  several  years  after  a  penetrating  eye  injury
...
   



The  immune  system,  which  normally  is  not  exposed  to  ocular  antigens,  is  introduced  to  the  
contents   of   the   eye   following   traumatic   injury
...
  The   onset   of   this   process   can   be   from   days   to   years  
after  the  inciting  traumatic  event  



A   penetrating   injury   to   one   eye   can   result   in   exposure   of   intra-­‐ocular   antigens   to   the  
immune  system  resulting  in  an  immune  response  and  generation  of  auto  antibodies  which  
will  attack  both  eyes
...
   



The  disease  may  progress  to  severe  uveitis  with  pain  and  photophobia
...
 



The  retina,  however,  usually  remains  uninvolved,  although  perivascular  cuffing  of  the  retinal  
vessels  with  inflammatory  cells  may  occur
...
  A   hollow  
structure,  the  bulbus  oculi  is  composed  of  a  wall  enclosing  a  cavity  filled  with  fluid  with  three  
coats:  the  Sclera,  Choroid,  and  the  Retina
...
 Its  
anterior  surface,  transparent  and  more  curved,  is  known  as  the  cornea  of  the  bulbus  oculi
...
     



IOFB  can  be  caused  by  fast  moving  particles  e
...
 hammer  and  chisel  injuries  



Don’t  apply  pressure  to  eye  in  suspected  IOFB  =>  risk  of  rupture    



Always  X-­‐ray  potential  IOFBs  (good  history)  


 

GOOD  HISTORY  CAN  HELP  DECIDE  LIKLEYHOOD  OF  IOFB  

CT  scan  is  best    

Chemical  burns  
Alkali:  


Easy,  rapid  penetration  



Cicatrising  (scarring)  changes  to  conjunctiva  and  cornea  



Penetrates  the  intra-­‐ocular  structures  

 
Acid:  


Coagulates  proteins  



Little  penetration  

 
Assessment  of  chemical  injury    


Assessment  of  chemical  injury  occurs  AFTER  thorough  irrigation  



Washout  chemical  burns  immediately  –  take  history  after    

 
Physical  burns  


Thermal  or  heat  burns  of  the  eye  can  occur  in  the  workplace  when  sparks  fly  from  welding  
equipment   or   when   hot   industrial   materials   such   as   molten   plastics,   metals,   or   hot   gases  
accidentally  penetrate  the  eye
...
   



Thermal  burns  are  generally  mild,  as  exposure  to  extreme  heat  sources  stimulates  the  blink  
reflex  (corneal  reflex),  allowing  the  eyelids  to  protect  the  eye  surface
...
g  training,  safety,    up-­‐to-­‐date  machinery  



Protective  eye  wear  



Clear  rules:  sport  and  work  



Education:  to  ensure  awareness  
 

 
NEUROLOGICAL  CONDITIONS  AND  THE  EYE  



Neuro-­‐ophthalmology  is  the  subspecialty  of  both  neurology  and  ophthalmology  concerning  
visual  problems  that  are  related  to  the  nervous  system
...
 

 
Cardinal  Features  of  neuro-­‐ophthalmic  disease  


Eye  movement  defects:      
! Nystagmus   (involuntary   eye   movements   e
...
  tremor   of   extra-­‐ocular   muscles   =>  
tremor  of  eye)  
! Diplopia  (double  vision)  –  if  binocular  suggests  neurological  (including  muscular)  
disorder,  however  if  monocular  suggests  eye  pathology  (e
...
 cataracts)    
 



Visual  defects:  
! Diminished  visual  acuity  (VA)  
! Visual  field  loss  
! Visual  neglect    
 

Aetiology  
Aetiology  depends  on  age,  other  clinical  findings  and  site  of  lesion  



Inflammation/infection  



Demyelination  (e
...
 MS)  



Tumours  (primary  and  secondary)  act  as  SOLs  



Other  SOLs  e
...
 abscess  or  haemorrhage  



Trauma  


 

Vascular  disease  

Congenital  abnormalities  

Identify  cause  


Full  medical  and  neurological  examination  



Full  eye  examination  



Blood  tests  



Imaging:   MRI   scanning   (secondary   prevention   of   vascular   disease   is   important   to   reduce  
further  morbidity)  
 

Ocular  Motility  Defects  


CN   III   (Oculomotor)   palsy:   “down   and   out”   –   exotropia   and   hypotropia,   ptosis   (levator  
palpabrae  dysfunction),  and  mydriasis  (pupil  dilation)  if  compressive  lesion  



CN   IV   (Trochlear)   palsy   of   SO   muscle:   hypertropia   –   due   to   unopposed   IO,   head   tilt   away  
from  affected  side  



CN   VI   (Abducent)   palsy   of   LR   muscle:   failure   to   abduct   (resulting   in   esotropia),   head   tilt   to  
affected  side  



Inter-­‐nuclear   opthalmoplegia:   Injury   or   dysfunction   to   the   medial   longitudinal   fasciculus  
(MLF),   a   heavily-­‐myelinated   tract   that   allows   conjugate   eye   movement   (coordination  
between   right   and   left   eye   movements)   by   connecting   the   paramedian   pontine   reticular  
formation   (PPRF)   -­‐   abducens   nucleus   complex   of   the   contralateral   side   to   the   oculomotor  
nucleus   of   the   ipsilateral   side
...
  When   an   attempt   is   made   to   gaze  
contralaterally  (relative  to  the  affected  MLF  and  eye),  the  affected  eye  adducts  minimally,  if  
at   all
...
  The   divergence   of   the   eyes  
leads   to   horizontal   diplopia
...
 In  older  patients  with  one-­‐sided  lesions  a  stroke  is  a  distinct  possibility
...
 



Supra-­‐nuclear  opthalmoplegia:  Progressive  supranuclear  palsy  (PSP)  is  a  neurodegenerative  
disease   of   the   brain   involving   the   gradual   deterioration   and   death   of   specific   volumes   of   the  
brain
...
   
 

 
 
 
CN  VI  nerve  palsy  


Sixth  nerve  palsy  (abducent  nerve  palsy)  is  a  disorder  associated  with  dysfunction  of  cranial  
nerve   VI   (the   abducent   nerve),   which   is   responsible   for   contracting   the   lateral   rectus   muscle  
to  abduct  the  eye
...
   



Strabismus  (squint)  is  a  condition  in  which  the  eyes  are  not  properly  aligned  with  each  other
...
   It  thus  hampers  proper  binocular  
vision,  and  which  may  adversely  affect  depth  perception,  and  cause  diplopia  



Esotropia  is  a  form  of  strabismus,  or  "squint",  in  which  one  or  both  eyes  turns  inward  e
...
 a  
convergent   squint   on   distance   fixation
...
   



The  condition  can  be  constantly  present,  or  occur  intermittently,  and  can  give  the  affected  
individual  a  "cross-­‐eyed"  appearance  



The  striabmus  and  esotropia  can  result  in  horizontal  diplopia  (double  vision)    



Diplopia   is   typically   experienced   by   adults   with   CN   VI   nerve   palsies,   but   children   with   the  
condition   may   not   experience   diplopia   due   to   suppression
...
   


Because   the   abducent   nerve   emerges   near   the   bottom   of   the   brain,   it   is   often   the   first  
nerve  compressed  when  there  is  any  rise  in  intracranial  pressure
...
 



Rememeber  CN  VI  originates  from  pons  

 
Diagnosis:  


Most   cases   of   sixth   nerve   palsy   seen   in   the   examination   have   an   obvious   manifest   esotropia  
(convergent  squint  (“cross  eye”)  seen  without  performing  cover-­‐uncover  test  e
...
 manifest)  
on  distant  fixation  making  the  diagnosis  easy
...
   The  affected  eye  has  a  convergent  squint  (this  may  not  be  obvious  in  
mild   or   partially   recovered   sixth   nerve   palsy)
...
   



On  ocular  motility  testing:  
! The  affected  eye  has  limited  abduction
...
g
...
     



 We   assess   CV   risk   factors,   as   vascular   pathology   is   the   commonest   cause   in   older  
individuals  (e
...
 mononeuritis  multiplex)  



DM  and  mononeuritis  multiplex  is  the  commonest  cause    
 

 
 

 
 
Causes  


Microvascular  (DM,  HT,  atherosclerosis,  embolism)  –  mononeuritis  multiplex  =>  ASSESS  CV  
RISK  FACTORS  



Raised   Intracranial   pressure   (trauma,   SOL,   tumour   etc)   –   must   rule   this   out   (e
...
  ask   about  
headaches,  neuroligical  symptoms,  check  for  pappiloedema,  neuro  exam)  



MS  



Congenital  

 
Pappiloedema  


Papilledema   (or   papilloedema)   is   optic   disc   swelling   secondary   to   increased   intracranial  
pressure
...
 
Unilateral  presentation  is  extremely  rare
...
   



Assess  for  papilloedema  in  all  patients  with  EOM  dysfunction    



NB:  The  optic  disc  or  optic  nerve  head  is  the  location  where  ganglion  cell  axons  exit  the  eye  
to   form   the   optic   nerve
...
  This   causes   a   break   in   the   visual   field   called   "the   blind   spot"   or   the  
"physiological  blind  spot"
...
  The   optic   disc   is  
also  the  entry  point  for  the  major  blood  vessels  that  supply  the  retina
...
   
! Loss  of  venous  pulsation  can  also  occur    
! Hemorrhages  over  and  /  or  adjacent  to  the  optic  disc  
! Papilledema   (optic   disc   swelling   secondary   to   raised   intracranial   pressure)   is  
almost  always  bilateral
...
 



Palsy   (or   plegia)   refers   to   a   complete   weakness   (paralysis)   of   a   muscle   while   a   paresis   is   a  
partial  weakness
...
 



The   superior   oblique   muscle   is   important   for   intorsion,   depression   (in   adduction)   and    
abduction  (weak)  



The  depressing  action  of  superior  oblique   is  most  effective  when  the  eye  is  in  an  adducted  
position
...
 The  main  muscle  for  abduction  is  the  lateral  rectus,  
so  although  superior  oblique  contributes  to  a  downwards  and  lateral  eye  movement,  testing  
this  motion  would  not  be  specific  enough  as  inferior  and  lateral  recti  muscles  would  also  be  
tested
...
  This   is   a   source   of   confusion   on   the   subject   as   although  
clinical   testing   asks   the   patient   to   adduct   and   depress   the   eye,   anatomically   the   muscle  
depresses  and  abducts  it  



Test  the  SO  by  depression  on  adduction  



Weakness   of   the   superior   oblique   muscle   causes   a   combination   of   vertical,   horizontal   and  
torsional   misalignment   of   the   eyes   (due   to   its   complicated   mechanism   of   action)   =>   vertical,  
horizontal  and  torsional  diplopia    



The  torsional  phenomenon  occurs  more  frequently  with  acquired  cases  of  superior  oblique  
palsy
...
   



Superior   oblique   palsy   may   cause   double   vision   (diplopia)   because   of  
misalignment/strabismus   of   the   eyes   (the   brain   perceives   an   image   from   two   different  
directions)
...
   



Head   tilt   and/or   turn   is   common   with   superior   oblique   palsy   (usually   to   unaffected   side)  
which   is   in   contrast   to   CN   VI   palsy   where   the   head   is   turned   to   the   effected   side
...
   



A   child   with   a   head   tilt   should   be   evaluated   by   an   ophthalmologist   for   superior   oblique  
palsy  and  other  possible  eye  problems
...
   The  
trochlear  nucleus  is  unique  in  that  its  axons  run  dorsally  and  cross  the  midline  (decussate)  
before   emerging   from   the   brainstem
...
  Lesions   of   all   other   cranial   nuclei   affect   the   ipsilateral   side   (as  
decussation  occurs  before  cerebral  cortex  fibres  reach  CN  nuclei)  except  the  optic  nerves  
which  innervate  both  eyes
...
 
Alternatively,  the  patient  may  be  wearing  glasses  with  prism
...
   Patients  with  superior  oblique  
palsy  on  one  side  experience  double  vision,  which  is  improved  or  even  abolished  by  tilting  
the  head  towards  the  shoulder  on  the  unaffected  side
...
 



Hypertropia:   condition   of   misalignment   of   the   eyes   (manifest   strabismus),   whereby   the  
visual   axis   of   one   eye   is   higher   than   the   fellow   fixating   eye   (“up   and   in”)   –   occurs   due   to  
unopposed  action  of  IO  



 

Head  tilt:  usually  to  unaffected  side  but  may  paradocially  tilt  to  affected  side  

Diplopia  (often  vertical)  –  on  adduction  (e
...
 when  going  down  the  stairs  and  our  eyes  are  
adducted)  

 
 
 
Bilateral  CN  IV  palsy  
Clinical  features:  


Torsion  



Chin  depressed  

 
Cause:  


Blunt  head  trauma  

 
Aetiology  of  CN  IV  palsy  


Congenital  (decompensated):  when  present  at  birth,  it  is  known  as  congenital  fourth  nerve  
palsy  



Microvascular:    DM,  HT,  hyperlipidaemia  –  often  mononeuritis  multiplex  secondary  to  DM
...
     
 
CN  III  palsy  


Oculomotor   nerve   palsy   is   an   eye   condition   resulting   from   damage   to   the   third   cranial   nerve  
or   a   branch   thereof
...
    The   limitations   of   eye   movements   resulting   from   the   condition   are  
generally   so   severe   that   the   affected   individual   is   unable   to   maintain   normal   alignment   of  
their   eyes   when   looking   straight   ahead,     leading   to   manifest   strabismus   and,   as   a  
consequence,  double  vision  (diplopia)
...
  The   eye   will   be   displaced  
outward   (abducted)   and   displaced   downward   (depressed);   outward   because   the   lateral  
rectus   (innervated   by   the   sixth   cranial   nerve)   maintains   muscle   tone   in   comparison   to   the  
paralyzed  medial  rectus
...
   



The  affected  individual  may  also  present  with:  
! Ptosis  (drooping  of  the  eyelid)  due  to  levator  palpabrae  superioris  dysfunction  
! Mydriasis   (pupil   dilation)   due   to   decreased   parasympathetic   innervations   to  
sphincter  pupillae  –  blown  out  pupil  (ONLY  IF  COMPRESSIVE  LESION)  



Compressive  oculomotor  nerve  damage  could  result  in  compression  of  the  parasympathetic  
fibers   before   any   disruption   of   the   motor   fibers   occurs,   since   the   parasympathetic   fibers   run  
on   the   outside   of   the   nerve
...
 


Pupil   involvement   =>   suggestive   compression   =>   surgical   CN   III   palsy   (often   due   to  
posterior  communicating  aneurysm  or  midbrain  lesion)  



If   pupil   not   involved   =>   medical   CN   III   palsy   (often   due   to   mononeuritis   multiplex  
secondary  to  DM)  

 
Diagnoisis:  


In  complete  third  nerve  palsy,  the  patient  will  have  complete  ptosis
...
g
...
g
...
         
If  pupil  involved  =>  urgent  MRI
...
  The   superior   oblique   muscle   is  
innervated  by  cranial  nerve  IV  (trochlear  nerve)  



Incyclotorsion   may   also   be   used   to   describe   one   part   of   the   condition   of   the   eye   when   a  
patient   has   an   oculomotor   nerve   palsy
...
e
...
   This  occurs  due  to  loss  
of  IO  which  excylotorts
...
 It  is  a  physical  
finding  in  certain  neurologic  illnesses
...
    This   involves   the   inter-­‐nuclear  
pathways  such  as  the  medial  longitudinal  fasciculus  (MLF)
...
     



Internuclear  ophthalmoplegia  (INO)  is  a  specific  gaze  abnormality  characterized  by  impaired  
horizontal  eye  movement  (conjugate  lateral  gaze)  with  weak  adduction  of  the  affected  eye  
and  abduction  nystagmus  of  the  contralateral  eye
...
     



We  also  get  nystagmus  of  the  contralateral  eye  on  abduction    

 
Medial  longitudinal  fasciculus  (MLF)  



The  medial  longitudinal  fasciculus  (MLF)  is  a  pair  of  crossed  fiber  tracts  (group  of  axons),  one  
on  each  side  of  the  brainstem
...
 



The   medial   longitudinal   fasciculus   carries   information   about   the   direction   that   the   eyes  
should  move
...
 



It  is  an  integral  component  of  saccadic  eye  movements,  visual  tracking  as  well  as  vestibulo-­‐
ocular  and  optokinetic  reflexes
...
 



Lesions   of   the   MLF   produce   internuclear   ophthalmoplegia   (INO)   and   can   be   a   presenting  
symptom   of   multiple   sclerosis,   where   it   presents   as   nystagmus   and   diplopia   (often  
bilateral  INO)  



Stoke  can  cause  unilateral  INO  

 
Causes  of  inter-­‐nuclear  ophthalmoplegia  


Multiple  sclerosis  (particularly  if  bilateral  and  younger  patient)  



Vascular  (particularly  if  unilateral  and  older  patient)  

 
Defects  in  visual  field  
Depends  on  location  of  lesion:  


Retina  



Optic  nerve  



Chiasm  



Optic  tracts  



LGN  of  thalamus  



Optic  radiations  



Cortex  

 
 
Aetiology    


Vascular  disease  e
...
 stroke,  TIA,  haemorrhage  



Space  occupying  lesion  (SOL)  



Demyelination  (MS)  



Trauma  (including  surgical)  



Commonest  aetiology  of  any  defect  depends  on  age,  other  clinical  findings  and  site  of  lesion  

 
Clinical  presentation  

 

 
 
Optic  nerve  


Ischaemic  optic  neuropathy:  many  causes,  arteritic  or  non  arteritic  



Optic  neuritis  (commonly  caused  by  MS):    central  scotoma,  painful  eye  movements,  loss  of  
red  vision  (red  desaturation),  RAPD  



Tumours  (rare)  
! Meningioma  
! Glioma  
! Haemangioma  



Optic  nerve  defects  are  complete  (complete  loss  of  pupil  reflexes)  or  abide  the  horizontal  
(altitudinal   hemianopia   due   to   blood   supply   to   optic   nerve   head)   or   produce   a   cental  
scotoma  of  the  visual  field  of  the  affected  eye  (due  to  enlarged  blind  spot)
...
     

         

 

 
 
Optic  neuritis  


Optic   neuritis   is   a   multi-­‐aetiological   condition   consisting   in   the   inflammation   of   the   optic  
nerve  that  may  cause  a  complete  or  partial  loss  of  vision  in  the  affected  eye
...
  Direct   axonal   damage   may   also  
play  a  role  in  nerve  destruction  in  many  cases
...
 Up  to  50%  of  patients  with  MS  will  
develop  an  episode  of  optic  neuritis,  and  20-­‐30%  of  the  time  optic  neuritis  is  the  presenting  
sign  of  MS
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
 
 

Clinical  features:  


Progressive  visual  loss  (unilateral)  



Optic   nerve   defects   are   complete   or   abide   the   horizontal   (altitudinal   hemianopia)   or  
produce  a  central  scotoma  of  the  visual  field  of  the  affected  eye  



Central  scotoma:  central  scotoma  is  an  area  of  depressed  vision  that  corresponds  with  the  
point   of   fixation   and   interferes   with   central   vision
...
g
...
g
...
03%  
!

Drug   used   to   lower   IOP   in   glaucoma   (prostaglandin   analogue)   –   often   first   line   (for   open  
angle  glaucoma;  PG  analogues  and  beta  blocker  are  first  line  for  open  angle)  

!

Increase  uveroscleral  outlfow  

!

Benzalkonium  concentration=0
...
01%  


Drug  used  to  lower  IOP  in  glaucoma  (prostaglandin  analogue)  –  often  first  line  



Benzalkonium  concentration=0
...
 

 
Treatment  of  Infections  
Three  broad  categories  -­‐  all  act  on  bacteria  and  either:  


Inhibit  protein  synthesis  (act  on  ribosomes)  



Inhibit  cell  wall  synthesis  



Inhibit  nucleic  acid  (DNA/RNA)  synthesis    
 

Chloramphenicol    


Chloramphenicol  is  the  most  commonly  used  topical  antibiotic  



Ointment  or  drops  



Inhibits  peptidyl  transferase  enzyme  (therefore  stops  bacterial  protein  being  made)  
 

Side  effects:  
!

Allergy  

!

Irreversible  aplastic  anaemia  (rare  :  1  in  40,000)  –  can  cause  pancytopenia  

!

Grey  baby  syndrome  

 
NOT  USED  IN  CL  WEARERS  (often  no  activity  agaianst  Pseudomonas  aurginosa)  
 
Antibiotics  that  inhibit  nucleic  acid  synthesis  
!

Quinolones   e
...
  ofloxacin,   inhibit   DNA   gyrase,   an   enzyme   that   compresses   bacterial   DNA  
into  supercoils
...
     

!

Inhibition  of  DNA  gyrase  leads  to  unwinding  of  supercoils  and  cell  death  (bactericidial)  
 

Antibiotics  that  inhibit  cell  wall  synthesis  
!

Penicillins  &  cephalosporins  have  common  beta  lactam  ring  

!

Beta  lactam  ring  inhibits  enzyme  which  makes  bacterial  cell  wall  

!

Without  cell  wall,  bacteria  die  (bactericidal)  
 

 
Antivirals  
Zovirax  
!

Zovirax  (acyclovir)  inhibits  viral  DNA  synthesis  

!

Base  analogue  (mimics  guanine)  

!

Used  for  dendritic  ulcers  of  the  cornea  (e
...
 as  a  result  of  herpes  simplex  or  herpes  zoster)
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
 When  the  ciliary  muscle  contracts,  it  
opens  the  trabecular  meshwork,  which  facilitates  the  rate  that  aqueous  humor  drainage  =>  
the   intraocular   pressure   decreases;   pilocarpine   also   acts   on   iris   muscle   to   cause   pupil  
constriction  (miosis)  which  helps  to  open  up  the  angle
...
     



Alpha  2  adrenergic  agonist:  Brimonidine  (‘Alphagan’)
...
g
...
 It  is  a  possible  complication  of  all  intraocular  surgeries,  particularly  
cataract  surgery,  with  possible  loss  of  vision  and  the  eye  itself
...
  Other   causes   include   penetrating   trauma   and   retained  
intraocular  foreign  bodies
...
   Corneal  abrasion  (damage  shows  up  green  on  illumination  with  blue  light)    



2
...
   Diagnosing  nasolacrimal  duct  obstruction  



4
...
g
...
g
...
g  phenylephrine  



Phenylephrine  can  be  used  to  distinguish  betwee  scleritis  (does  not  blanch)  and  episcleritis  
(does  blach)  

 
Steroids  cause  cataract  


A  cataract  is  a  clouding  of  the  lens  inside  the  eye  which  leads  to  a  decrease  in  vision
...
   



Visual   loss   occurs   because   opacification   of   the   lens   obstructs   light   from   passing   and   being  
focused  on  to  the  retina  at  the  back  of  the  eye
...
  Over   time,   yellow-­‐brown   pigment   is  
deposited   within   the   lens   and   this,   together   with   disruption   of   the   normal   architecture   of  
the  lens  fibers,  leads  to  reduced  transmission  of  light,  which  in  turn  leads  to  visual  problems
...
 



Corticosteroids  (and  other  drugs)  can  induce  cataract  development  

 

 
 
Ethambutol  can  cause  optic  neuropathy  


Ethambutol  (TB  drug)  can  cause  optic  neuropathy  



Optic  neuropathy  refers  to  damage  to  the  optic  nerve  due  to  any  cause
...
   



The  main  symptom  is  loss  of  vision,  with  colors  appearing  subtly  washed  out  in  the  affected  
eye
...
  A  
pale  disc  (pallor  of  the  disc)  is  characteristic  of  long-­‐standing  optic  neuropathy
...
 
 

Optic  neuropathy  
Optic  neuropathy  may  be  caused  by  any  of  the  following:  


Ischemic   optic   neuropathy   (insufficient   blood   flow   (ischemia)   to   the   optic   nerve)   e
...
 
temporal  arteritis  



Optic  neuritis  (indicative  of  MS)  



Compressive   optic   neuropathy   (tumors,   infections,   and   inflammatory   processes   can   cause  
lesions  within  the  orbit  and,  less  commonly,  the  optic  canal
...
g
...
g
...
 

 
 
 
VISUAL  LOSS  AND  BLINDNESS  
VISUAL  LOSS  


Sudden  loss  of  vision  



Transient  loss  of  vision  



Gradual  loss  of  vision  

 
 
Causes  of  sudden  visual  loss    
Use  the  mnemonic  ‘VARICOSE’:  


Vascular  occlusion  and  vitreous  haemorrhage  



Age  related  macular  degeneration  (wet  type)  



Retinal  detachment  (RD)  



Ischaemic  optic  neuropathy  –  arteritic  and  non-­‐arteritic  



Closed  angle  glaucoma  (ACAG)  



Optic  neuritis    



Stroke  



Emergency  referral  

 

 
Central  retinal  artery  occlusion  (CRAO)  




Central   retinal   artery   occlusion   (CRAO)   is   a   disease   of   the   eye   where   the   flow   of   blood  
through  the  central  retinal  artery  is  blocked  (occluded)
...
 
CRAO  is  an  ocular  analogue  of  cerebral  stroke
...
g
...
   The  affected  eye  will  appear  to  dilate  
when  the  light  is  swung  to  it
...
    A   RAPD   (also   known   as   Marcus  
Gunn  Pupil)  is  distinguished  from  a  total  CN  II  lesion,  in  which  the  affected  eye  perceives  
no   light
...
 


Pale  retina  (pallor)  due  to  lack  of  blood  flow  -­‐  milky  retina  



Thread-­‐like  retinal  vessels  due  to  lack  of  blood  flow  



Cherry   red   spot   (we   can   see   normal   choroidal   circulation   (deep   to   retina)   at   fovea   where  
the  retina  is  thinnest  due  to  lack  of  blood  flow)  

 

                   

 

 
Causes  of  CRAO    


Carotid   artery   disease   e
...
 



Establish  source  of  embolus:    carotid  doppler  (e
...
 to  check  for  carotid  atheroma)  and  ECG  
(e
...
 to  check  for  AF)  



Assess  and  manage  risk  factors  (e
...
 hyperlipidaemia,  DM,  smoking  and  HT)  

 
Types  of  retinal  artery  occlusion  


Central   renal   artery   occlusion   (CRAO):   most   severe   and   more   common   (profound,   sudden,  
painless  los  of  vision)  



Branch   retinal   artery   occlusion   (BRAO):   less   severe   and   rare   -­‐   Remember   that   due   to   lens  
inversion  a  superior  lesion  of  the  retina  will  result  in  inferior  visual  field  loss
...
g
...
 It  is  a  
common   clinical   symptom   indicative   of   transient   retinal   ischaemia,   usually   associated   with  
stenosis  of  the  ipsilateral  carotid  artery  or  emboli  (cardiac  and  aortic)
...
   These  symptoms  
are  often  produced  by  atherosclerotic  stenosis  of  the  carotid  vessels  at  the  ipsilateral  carotid  
bifurcation    and  emboli  from  these  areas  causing  focal,  repetitive,  retinal  ischaemia      

Causes:  


Carotid  vessel  atherosclerosis  =>  perform  carotid  doppler  



Cardiac  emboli  =>  perform  ECG  



Giant  cell  arteritis  –  assess  ESR  =>  NOT  ONE  TO  BE  MISSED  



SLE  



Polycythaemia  (hyperviscosity)  



Other  causes  of  hyperviscotiy  e
...
 myeloma  



Full  bloods  required    

 
In  younger  pts  consider  hyperviscoity  of  blood  and  Ix  accordingly    
 
Symptoms:  


Transient  painless  visual  loss:  ‘like  a  curtain  coming  down’  



Other  descriptions  of  this  experience  include  a  monocular  blindness  with  dimming,  fogging,  
or  blurring  



Lasts  approximately  5  mins  with  full  recovery  
 

Signs  


Usually  nothing  abnormal  to  see  on  examination  



May  identify  AF  (irregularly  irregular  pulse)  
 

Management:  


Amaurosis  fugax  may  be  a  sign  of  an  impending  TIA  or  stroke  and  therefore  patient  should  
be  immediately  referred  to  TIA/stroke  clinic  



Carrotid  Doppler  



ECG  



Identify  and  manage  CV  risk  factors  



Full  set  of  bloods  to  look  for  signs  of  hypercoagulability  and  hyperviscosity  –  esp  if  young  



Coagulation  screen?  



Aspirin?    Yes!  

 
Migraine  


Migraine  is  another  cause  of  sudden  transient  visual  loss  



Visual  loss  may  be  part  of  the  aura  which  precedes  the  migraine  



Visual  loss  is  usually  followed  by  a  migraine  headache  (however  migrains  can  be  acpehalic  =>  
no  pain)  



Migraine  auras  can  present  with  near  enough  any  neurological  symptom  =>  always  have  
migraine  in  the  DD!  



DON’T   FORGET!     MUST   ask   about   headache,   although   rememeber   that   migraine   can   occur  
without  headache
...
 



When   the   central   retinal   vein   is   blocked,   the   circulation   through   the   retina   is   greatly  
reduced
...
    When   this   happens,   the   retina   doesn’t   function  
well,  and  the  vision  becomes  blurred
...
    It   is   more  
common  in  patients  with  glaucoma,  high  blood  pressure,  arteriosclerosis,  and  diabetes  than  it  is  in  
other  people
...
g
...
g
...
   



Moderate  to  severe  visual  loss    

 
Signs:    


Pizza  fundus  



Dilated   tortuous   veins   (can   rupture   and   haemorrhage)   due   to   blockage   and   build   up   of  
pressure  



Retinal  haemorrhages  



Optic  disc  swelling    



Macula  oedema  



+/-­‐  Neovascularisation  (formation  of  functional   microvascular  networks  with  red  blood  cell  
perfusion)  

 
 
CRVO:    treatment  


Based  on  treatment  of  systemic  or  ocular  causes  (e
...
 hypertension,  DM,  glaucoma)  



Monitor:  may  develop  new  vessels  (neovascularisation)  and  laser  treatment  may  be  required  
to  avoid  complications  e
...
 vitreous  haemorrhage  from  the  new  vessel  

 
Branch  retinal  vein  occlusion  (BRVO)  


Branch  retinal  vein  occlusion  (BRVO)  is  a  common  retinal  vascular  disease  of  the  elderly
...
 



BRVO   is   3   times   more   common   than   CRVO   (in   contrast   to   CRAO   which   is   much   more  
common  than  BRAO)  



Usual  age  of  onset  is  60-­‐70  years
...
   



This   usually   results   in   blurred   vision,   or   a   missing   area   of   vision   (scotoma)
...
    Remember   that   due   to   lens   inversion   a   superior   lesion   of   the   retina   will   result  
in  inferior  visual  field  loss  and  vice  versa
...
   A  blockage  to  the  central  or  main  
retinal  vein  is  more  serious,  and  usually  involves  a  more  severe  loss  of  vision
...
 

 
Clinical  features:  



Sudden  onset  of  blurred  vision  or  a  visual  field  defect    



Segmental  haemorrhages  and  torturous  veins  



The   quadrant   affected   will   determine   the   visual   field   defect   e
...
  superior   temporal  
quadrant  haemorrhage  will  result  in  inferior  visual  field  defect  of  the  nasal  fields  



The  eye  examination  findings  of  acute  BRVO  include  superficial  hemorrhages,  retinal  edema,  
and  often  cotton-­‐wool  spots  in  a  sector  of  retina  drained  by  the  affected  vein
...
 



The  vitreous  humor  is  the  clear  gel  that  fills  the  space  between  the  posterior  aspect  of  the  
lens  and  the  retina  of  the  eye
...
 Abnormal  blood  vessels  can  
form  in  the  back  of  the  eye  in  a  person  with  diabetes  (neovascularisation)
...
     



Other   causes   include   trauma,   retina   tears,   age-­‐related   macular   degeneration,   and,   retinal  
neovascularization  as  a  result  of  branch  or  central  retinal  vein  occlusion  

 
Symptoms  


Sudden  Loss  of  vision  



Blurry  vision  



Floaters  and  flashers  



Photopsia:  brief  flashes  of  light  in  the  peripheral  vision  



Note:   often   resolves   itself   with   time,   in   contrast   to   retinal   detachment   where   visual   loss   will  
persist    
 

Signs    


May   have   loss   of   red   reflex   (e
...
  loss   of   reddish-­‐orange   reflection   of   light   from   the   eye's  
retina  that  is  observed  when  using  an  ophthalmoscope  or  retinoscope  from  approximately  
30cm)  due  to  opaqueness  of  vitreous    



VH  observable    
 

Management:  



Monitoring  –  many  will  resolve    


 

Identify  cause  (e
...
 new  vessels  in  diabetic  retinopathy  or  after  vein  occlusion)  

Vitrectomy  for  non-­‐resolving  cases  

 
 
ARMD  wet  type    (age  related  macular  degeneration:  wet  type)  


Neovascular  or  exudative  ARMD,  the  "wet"  form  of  advanced  AMD,  causes  vision  loss  due  
to   abnormal   blood   vessel   growth   (choroidal   neovascularization)   ultimately   leading   to   blood  
and  protein  leakage  (“wet”)  below  the  macula
...
 



Cause  of  rapid  vision  loss  (unlike  dry  ARMD)  



Only  about  10%  of  patients  suffering  from  macular  degeneration  have  the  wet  type
...
 

 
Symptoms    


Rapid  visual  loss  



Central   scotoma:   Loss   of   vision   in   the   center   of   the   visual   field   because   of   damage   to   the  
macula  region  of  the  retina
...
 Stops  new  blood  vessels  growing  by  binding  to  VEGF  
(vascular  endothelial  growth  factor)  

                     

 

 

         

 

 
 
 
Retinal  Detachment  


Retinal   detachment   is   a   disorder   of   the   eye   in   which   the   retina   peels   away   from   its  
underlying  layer  of  support  tissue
...
   



Can  occur  in  DM  due  to  scarring  –  tractional  RD  



It  is  a  medical  emergency
...
 

 
There  are  two  types:  


Arteritic   (50%):  due   to  temporal   arteritis   (also   called   giant   cell   arteritis),   an  inflammatory  
disease  of  medium-­‐sized  blood  vessels
...
     



Non-­‐arteritic  (50%):    atherosclerosis,  idiopathic  

 
Clinical  features:  


Both  cause  sudden,  profound  visual  loss  



Swollen  pale  disc  –  optic  disc  swelling    

 
 
Arteritic  AION  pathogenesis  



Visual  loss  occurs  due  to  ischaemia  of  optic  nerve  head  (posterior  ciliary  arteries  blocked)    



 

Medium  to  large  sized  arteries  become  inflamed  (multinucleate  giant  cells)  



 

Arteritic  AION  occurs  due  to  giant  cell  arteritis  (GCA)  

NB:   The   posterior   ciliary   arteries   supply   the   anterior   part   of   the   optic   nerve   (optic   nerve  
head)  

Giant  cell  arteritis  (temporal  arteritis)  


Giant-­‐cell   arteritis   GCA   (or   temporal   arteritis)   an   inflammatory   vascular   disease   of   blood  
vessels   most   commonly   involving   large   and   medium   arteries   of   the   head,   predominantly   the  
branches   of   the   external   carotid   artery   (however   can   affect   variety   of   arteries   in   different  
locations)
...
    The   name   (giant   cell   arteritis)   reflects   the   type   of  
inflammatory  cell  involved  as  seen  on  a  biopsy
...
 



May  cause  sudden  irreversible  blindness  



Giant   cell   arteritis   is   the   prime   medical   emergency   in   ophthalmology   because   of   its   dreaded  
complication   of   permanent   visual   loss   in   one   or   both   eyes,   which   is   preventable   if   these  
patients   are   diagnosed   early   and   treated   immediately   and   aggressively   with   systemic  
corticosteroids  



Diagnosis  can  be  difficult  as  patient  may  or  may  not  have  typical  features  

 
Symptoms:  


Headache  (usually  temporal)  



Jaw  claudication  



Scalp  tenderness  (painful  to  comb  hair)  



Tender/enlarged  scalp  arteries  



Amaurosis  fugax  (transient  loss  of  vision  in  one  eye  due  to  a  temporary  lack  of  blood  flow  to  
the  retina)  



Malaise  



May   be   comorbid   with   Polymyalgia   rheumatica   (stiff,   painful   muscles,   particularly  
shoulder  muscles,  absence  of  weakness,  normal  CK,  raised  PV/CRP/ESR)  

 
Signs:  


Pale,  swollen  disc    (key  sign  of  ischaemic  optic  neuropathy)  
! Swollen   optic   disc:   can   occur   due   to   an   inflammatory   occlusion   of   the   ciliary  
feeder   vessels   (posterior   ciliary   artery)   of   the   optic   nerve,   a   common   finding   in  
giant  cell  arteritis
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
 



It  is  oe  of  the  most  common  cause  of  blindness  and  is  conventionally  treated  with  surgery
...
     



Catarct  can  be  seen  as  a  clouding  of  the  lens  (seen  looking  through  the  cornea,  pupil  and  iris)  



Visual   loss   occurs   because   opacification   of   the   lens   obstructs   light   from   passing   and   being  
focused  on  to  the  retina  at  the  back  of  the  eye
...
g
...
  Over   time,   yellow-­‐brown  
pigment   is   deposited   within   the   lens   and   this,   together   with   disruption   of   the   normal  
architecture  of  the  lens  fibers,  leads  to  reduced  transmission  of  light,  which  in  turn  leads  to  
visual  problems
...
 

 
Aetiology  


Age  related  (lens  is  a  permenanet  structure  which  does  not  regenerate)  



Congenital:   intrauterine   infection   e
...
  rubella   (importance   of   checking   red   reflex   in  
neonates)  



Traumatic  



Metabolic:  DM  



Drug-­‐induced  e
...
 steroids  

 
Different  types  


Cataracts   may   be   partial   or   complete,   stationary   or   progressive,   or   hard   or   soft
...
 



Nuclear  sclerosis  is  the  most  common  type  of  cataract  and  involves  the  central  or  'nuclear'  
part  of  the  lens
...
   



Posterior   subcapsular   cataracts   are   cloudy   at   back   of   the   lens   adjacent   to   the   capsule   (or  
bag)  in  which  the  lens  sits
...
 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 

Management  of  cataract  


If  patient  is  symptomatic:  Management  is  surgical  removal  (e
...
 phacoemulsification)  with  
intra-­‐ocular  lens  implant    

 
Age  Related  Macular  Degeneration  (ARMD)  


Age-­‐related  macular  degeneration  (AMD)  is  a  medical  condition  which  usually  affects  older  
adults  (“age  related”)  and  results  in  a  loss  of  vision  in  the  center  of  the  visual  field  (central  
scotoma)  because  of  damage  to  the  macular  region  of  the  retina
...
 



Commonest  cause  of  blindness  in  Western  World  in  patients  over  65  



2  types:  dry  and  wet  



Wet  ARMD  is  much  less  common  and  can  cause  rapid  vision  loss
...
 New  blood  vessels  
are  weak  and  can  rupture  leading  to  haemorrhage  and  protein  leakage  (exudates)  below  the  
macula
...
     It  can  be  treated  with  laser  coagulation,  and  with  medication  that  
stops   and   sometimes   reverses   the   growth   of   blood   vessels   e
...
  anti   VEGF   (anti-­‐   vascular  
endothelia  growth  factor)
...
    In   the   dry  
(nonexudative)  form,  cellular  debris  called  drusen  accumulates  between  the  retina  and  the  
choroid,  and  the  retina  can  become  detached
...
   



In  the  dry  (nonexudative)  form,  cellular  debris  called  drusen  accumulates  between  the  retina  
and  the  choroid,  and  the  retina  can  become  detached
...
g
...
 



GIVE  UP  SMOKING  

 
Symptoms    


Gradual  decline  in  vision  



Central  vision  ‘missing’  (central  scotoma)  
 

Signs    


Drusen:  build  up  of  waste  products  below  RPE  (retinal  pigment  epithelium)  in  particular  in  
the  macula  region  



RPE  (retinal  pigment  epithelial)  changes:    atrophy  and  hyperplasia  
 

Management:  


No  cure:    treatment  is  supportive  with  low  vision  aids  e
...
 magnifiers  



Smoking  cessation  

 

         

 

 
 
Refractive  errors  


Myopia  (short  sightedness  with  long  eye  =>  problems  with  distant  vision)  



Hypermetropia  or  hyperopia  (long  sightedness  with  short  eye  =>  problems  with  near  vision)  



Presbyopia  (age  related  long  sightedness  =>  problems  with  near  vision)  



Astigmatism   (optical   defect   in   which   vision   is   blurred   due   to   the   inability   of   the   optics   of   the  
eye  to  focus  a  point  object  into  a  sharp  focused  image  on  the  retina
...
     



The   many   different   subtypes   of   glaucoma   can   all   be   considered   to   be   a   type   of   optic  
neuropathy
...
 



It  is  normally  associated  with  increased  fluid  pressure  (IOP)  in  the  eye  



The  nerve  damage  involves  loss  of  retinal  ganglion  cells  in  a  characteristic  pattern:  damage  
occurs  due  to  compression  of  the  fundus  from  the  raised  IOP  



Raised   intraocular   pressure   (above   21   mmHg   or   2
...
  However,   some   may   have   high   eye   pressure   for   years  
and   never   develop   damage,   while   others   can   develop   nerve   damage   at   a   relatively   low  
pressure
...
  The   angle   refers   to   the   area   between   the   iris   and   cornea,   through   which   fluid  
must  flow  to  escape  via  the  trabecular  meshwork
...
   



Open-­‐angle,   chronic   glaucoma   tends   to   progress   at   a   slower   rate   and   patients   may   not  
notice   they   have   lost   vision   until   the   disease   has   progressed   significantly   (“silent   thief   of  
sight”)
...
 
 

Open  angle  glaucoma  


2%  of  adult  population  (increases  with  age)  



Drainage  angle  open  (in  contrast  to  acute  closed  angle  glaucoma)  



Intra  ocular  pressure  increases  gradually  (chronic  condition)  



Intraocular   hypertension   caused   gradual   progressive   damage   of   retinal   nerve   fibres  
(particularly  at  the  optic  disc)  



Visual  field  contracts  (loss  of  peripheral  vision)  –  also  get  Arcuate  scotomas  



Open   angle   glaucoma   has   been   called   the   "silent   thief   of   sight"   because   the   loss   of   vision  
often   occurs   gradually   over   a   long   period   of   time,   and   symptoms   only   occur   when   the  
disease   is   quite   advanced
...
   



Optician  screening  important:    tonometry,  VF,  and  optic  disc  

 
Pathophysiology  


The  underlying  cause  of  open-­‐angle  glaucoma  remains  unclear
...
 However,  the  major  risk  factor  for  most  glaucomas  is  increased  intraocular  
pressure,  i
...
 ocular  hypertension
...
   



Aqueous   humor   flows   from   the   ciliary   processes   into   the   posterior   chamber,   bounded  
posteriorly   by   the   lens   and   the   zonules   of   Zinn,   and   anteriorly   by   the   iris
...
  From   here,   the   trabecular   meshwork   drains   aqueous   humor   via  
Schlemm's  canal  into  scleral  plexuses  and  the  general  blood  circulation
...
  The   iridocorneal   angle   is   open
...
 



NB:    In  closed  (narrow-­‐angle)  glaucoma,  the  iridocorneal  angle  is  completely  closed  because  
of  forward  displacement  of  the  final  roll  and  root  of  the  iris  against  the  cornea,  resulting  in  
the   inability   of   the   aqueous   fluid   to   flow   from   the   posterior   to   the   anterior   chamber   and  
then   out   of   the   trabecular   network
...
 
 

Symptoms  


Often  none  



Gradually  progressive  visual  field  loss  in  particular  constriction  of  visual  fields  
 

Signs  


Increased  intraocular  pressure  (measured  via  ocular  tonometry)  >  21mmHg  



Optic   nerve   changes:   cupped   disc   (increased   cup   to   disc   ratio)   on   fundocopy   examination  
(due  to  thinning  of  neuroretinal  rim  and  increasing  size  of  cup)  +/-­‐  optic  atrophy    



Arcuate  visual  field  defect  (arcuate  scotoma):  an  arc-­‐shaped  defect  of  vision  extending  from  
the  blind  spot  (optic  nerve  head)  and  arching  into  the  nasal  field  following  the  lines  of  retinal  
nerve  fiber  



Loss  of  peripheral  fields  
 

 
 
Management:  


Pressure-­‐lowering   eye   drops   e
...
  prostaglandin   analogues   (e
...
  latanoprost)   and   CA  
inhibitors  (e
...
 oral  acetazolamide  (diamox)  or  topical  dorzolamide)    



First  line  for  open  angle  =  PG  analagoues  and  beta  blocker  (CIs  include  asthma,  COPD  and  
heart  block)  



First  line  for  closed  angle  =  pilocarpine  (opens  angle)  and  acetazamolide  (reduces  aqeous  
humour  production)  



Occasionally  surgery  
! Peripheral  bilateral  iridotomy  for  ACAG  –  as  blockage  as  at  the  iridocorneal  angle    
! Trabeculectomy  for  closed  angle  glaucoma  –  as  blockage  is  in  trabecular  network    



Need  constant  monitoring  in  clinic  with  regular  visual  field  testing  
 
 

THE  EYE  IN  SYSTEMIC  DISEASE  
Cardiovascular  Disease  


Diabetes  (DM)  –  can  cause  DR  or  cataracts
...
 



Hypertension  (HT)  –  can  cause  HT  retinopathy  



CV   risk   factors   (smoking,   HT,   hyperlipidaemia,   DM)  –   can   cause   variety   of   ocular   problems  
e
...
 CRAO,  CRVO,  BRAO,  BRVO,  amuarosis  fugax,  DR  etc  



Vascular  Occlusion  
 

Inflammatory  Disease  


Granulomatous  Disease  



Giant  Cell  Arteritis  



Thyroid  Eye  Disease  
 

Connective  Tissue  Disease  


SLE  



Rheumatoid  Arthritis  



Marfans  

 
Diabetic  retinopathy  


Diabetic   retinopathy   is   retinopathy   (damage   to   the   retina)   caused   by   complications   of  
diabetes,  which  can  eventually  lead  to  blindness
...
   However  abnormalities  can  be  detected  by  
fundus  photography  (hence  why  DM  patients  have  yearly  fundoscopic  screening)
...
  If   there   is   reduced   vision,   fluorescein   angiography   can   be  
done   to   see   the   back   of   the   eye
...
    Microaneurysms   can   rupture  
and  leak  blood  vessel  contents  into  retina  =>  dot,  blot  or  flame-­‐shaped  haemorrhages  



 

Diabetic   retinopathy   often   has   no   early   warning   signs
...
  In   general,  
however,  a  person  with  macular  oedema  is  likely  to  have  blurred  vision,  making  it  hard  to  do  
things  like  read  or  drive
...
   
This   can   happen   at   all   stages   of   NPDR
...
 10  percent  of  diabetic  
patients  will  get  vision  loss  related  with  macular  oedema
...
   Can  be  Tx  with  macular  grid  photocoagulation  or  anti-­‐VEGF
...
  At   this   earliest   stage,   microaneurysms   occur
...
    At   least   one  
microaneurysm,   and   also   dot,   blot   or   flame-­‐shaped   haemorrhages   in   all   four   fundus  
quadrants
...
   Intraretinal  microaneurysms  and  dot  and  blot  haemorrhages  
of   greater   severity,   in   one   to   three   quadrants
...
 



Severe   Nonproliferative   Retinopathy:   Many   more   blood   vessels   are   blocked,   depriving  
several  areas  of  the  retina  with  their  blood  supply
...
 

 
Signs  of  non  proliferative  diabetic  retinopathy  (NPDR)  



Dot  +  blot  haemorrhages  



Hard  exudates  (due  to  excavation  of  proteins  from  ruptured  microanerysms)  



Cotton   wool   spots   (caused   by   damage   to   nerve   fibers   and   are   a   result   of   accumulation   of  
axoplasmic  material  within  the  nerve  fiber  layer)  



Abnormalities  of  venous  calibre  e
...
 venous  beading  


 

Microaneurysms    

Intra-­‐retinal  microvascular  abnormailities  (IRMA)  

   

                                                               

                 

 

 

 
 
Proliferative  diabetic  retinopathy  (PDR):  Neovascularisation  


As  the  disease  progresses,  severe  nonproliferative  diabetic  retinopathy  enters  an  advanced,  
or   proliferative   (PDR)   stage   when   blood   vessels   proliferate   and   grow   (e
...
 
neovascularisation)
...
   



These   new   blood   vessels   are   abnormal   and   fragile
...
  By   themselves,   these  
blood  vessels  do  not  cause  symptoms  or  vision  loss
...
  If   they   leak   blood,   severe  
vision  loss  and  even  blindness  can  result
...
 In  most  cases,  it  will  leave  just  a  few  
specks  of  blood,  or  spots,  floating  in  a  person's  visual  field  (e
...
 floaters),  though  the  spots  
often  go  away  after  a  few  hours
...
 



These   spots   are   often   followed   within   a   few   days   or   weeks   by   a   much   greater   leakage   of  
blood,  which  blurs  vision
...
  It   may   take   the   blood   anywhere   from   a   few   days   to   months   or   even   years   to  
clear  from  the  inside  of  the  eye,  and  in  some  cases  the  blood  will  not  clear
...
 



Without  timely  treatment,  these  new  blood  vessels  can  bleed,  cloud  vision,  and  destroy  the  
retina
...
   



The  new  blood  vessels  can  also  grow  into  the  angle  of  the  anterior  chamber  of  the  eye  and  
cause  neovascular  glaucoma
...
 



New   blood   vessels   (neovascularisation)   along   the   retina   and   in   the   clear,   gel-­‐like   vitreous  
humour  that  fills  the  inside  of  the  eye
...
e
...
 



It   is   usually   associated   with   disease   processes   in   the   retina,   which   involve   the   retina  
becoming   starved   of   oxygen   (ischaemic)   e
...
  DM
...
 These  factors  stimulate  the  formation  of  new  
blood  vessels  (angiogenesis)
...
  Other   conditions   causing   rubeosis   iridis   include   central   retinal   vein   occlusion  
and  chronic  retinal  detachment
...
  Maculopathy   is  
damage  to  the  macula  which  provides  us  with  our  high  acuity  central  vision
...
 



One  such  cause  of  macular  damage  is  from  diabetic  macular  oedema  whereby  blood  vessels  
near   to   the   macula   leak   fluid   or   protein   onto   the   macula   (due   to   ruptured  
microanuerysms)  



If  the  leakages  cause  the  retina  to  harden  (hard  exudates)   and  exudates  (deposits  of  fat  and  
protein  from  the  blood)  become  significantly  large  and  close  to  the  fovea,  then  the  condition  
is  termed  as  Clinically  Significant  Macular  Oedema  (CSMO)  i
...
 within  one  disc  diameter
...
g
...
   The  aim  is  to  kill  iscaemic  cells  that  are  secreting  VEGF
...
   
 
Manifestations  of  these  changes  include:  


Attenuated  blood  vessels:  copper  wire  arterioles  or  silver  wire  arterioles  
 

Advanced  hypertensive  retinopathy  causes  microaneurysms  which  can  result  in:  


Blot  haemorrhages  and/or  flame  haemorrhages  



Cotton  wool  spots  (ischemic  changes  causing  damage  to  nerve  axons)  



Hard  exudates  



Retinal  haemorrhage  



Optic  disc  oedema  (in  severe  cases)  



NB:   Optic   disc   swelling   (oedema)   can   be   caused   by   a   number   of   conditions;   papilloedema  
relates  more  specifically  to  optic  disc  swelling  secondary  to  raised  intracranial  pressure
...
 



Particularly  in  young  patients  



Very  dramatic  fundus  appearance  =>  pappiloedema  



Can  have  decreased  vision  

 
Central  retinal  artery  occlusion  (CRAO)  


Sudden  painless  loss  of  vision  (“VARICOSE”)  



Very  profound  loss  of  vision  



Retinal   nerve   fibre   layer   becomes   swollen   except   at   fovea   where   we   can   observe   a   cherry  
red   spot   (observation   of   choroid   blood   vessels   deep   to   the   macula;   observed   through   the  
thin  ischameic  retina)  



Pale  retina  



Rarely  recovers  

 

 

 
Central  retinal  vein  occlusion  (CRVO)  


Sudden  painless  visual  loss  



Range  of  visual  loss  



Pizza  disc  fundus  



Need  to  determine  degree  of  ischaemia  



Ischaemia  correlates  to  degree  of  reduced  vision  and  fundal  appearances  

 

 
 
Branch  vein  occlusion  



May  be  assymptomatic    


 

Painless  disturbance  in  vision  

May  be  aware  of  loss  of  part  of  field  

 
 
 
Infective  diseases  
The  following  infections  can  cause  uveitis:  


TB  



Herpes  Zoster  



Toxoplasmosis  



Candidiasis  



Syphilis  



Lyme  Disease  

 
Inflammatory  Disease  
Sarcoidosis  


Sarcoidosis   is   a   multi-­‐system   disorder   involving   abnormal   collections   of   chronic  
inflammatory  cells  (non-­‐caseating  granulomas)  that  can  form  as  nodules  in  multiple  organs
...
 



The   combination   of   erythema   nodosum,   bilateral   hilar   lymphadenopathy,   and   arthralgia  
(joint  pain)  is  highly  suggestive  of  Sarcoidosis  



Manifestations   in   the   eye   include   anterior   uveitis,   uveoparotitis,   and   retinal   inflammation,  
which  may  result  in  loss  of  visual  acuity  or  blindness
...
g  
bulging  of  the  eyes)  



Exophthalmos,  also  called  proptosis,  is  a  bulging  of  the  eye  anteriorly  out  of  the  orbit
...
  Various   mechanisms   affect   the   development   of   lid   lag   in   thyroid   eye  
disease
...
  The  
examiner   then   moves   the   finger   slowly   upwards   and   downwards,   observing   the  
movement   of   the   patient's   eyes   and   eyelids
...
 
! Pigmentation  



Restrictive   myopathy   of   EOMs   (opthalmoplegia)   which   may   result   in   diplopia   and  
strabismus  

 
Ocular:  


Anterior  Segment  
! Chemosis  (swelling/oedema  of  the  conjunctiva)  
! Exposure   keratopathy   (dryness   of   the   cornea   caused   by   incomplete   or   inadequate  
eye-­‐lid  closure)  
! Glaucoma  
! Painful  red  gritty  eye  



Posterior  Segment  
! Choroidal  folds  (parallel  grooves  or  striae  involving  the  inner  choroid)  
! Optic  nerve  swelling  
 

Management:  



Control  of  thyroid  dysfunction    



Lubricants  



Stop  smoking    



Surgical  decompression  

 

 
 
 
Connective  Tissue  Disease  
SLE  


AI  disease  



Multisystem  immunological  (AI)  disease  



Systemic  lupus  erythematosus   (often   abbreviated   to   SLE  or  lupus)  is   a  systemic  autoimmune  
disease  (or  autoimmune  connective  tissue  disease)  that  can  affect  any  part  of  the  body
...
 



It  is  a  Type  III  hypersensitivity  reaction  in  which  antibody-­‐immune  complexes  precipitate  and  
cause  a  further  immune  response  (but  no  activation  of  the  membrane  attack  complex)  



SLE  most  often  harms  the  heart,  joints,  skin,  lungs,  blood  vessels,  “blood”,  liver,  kidneys,  and  
nervous  system
...
   



The   disease   occurs   nine   times   more   often   in   women   than   in   men,   especially   in   women   in  
child-­‐bearing   years   ages   15   to   35,   and   is   also   more   common   in   those   of   non-­‐European  
descent
...
g
...
   



Associated  with  RhF  and  Anti-­‐CCP  
 

Ocular  effects:  


Keratoconjunctivitis   Sicca:   which   is   a   dryness   of   eyes   and   mouth   caused   by   lymphocyte  
infiltration   of   lacrimal   and   salivary   glands
...
    Dryness  
leads  to  inflammation
...
     
The  hallmark  symptom  of  Sjögren's  syndrome  is  a  generalized  dryness,  typically  including  xerostomia  
(dry  mouth)  and  keratoconjunctivitis  sicca  (dry  eyes)
...
   



People   with   Marfan   tend   to   be   unusually   tall,   with   long   limbs   and   long,   thin   fingers
...
   Cardaic  issues
...
   



Nearsightedness  (myopia)  is  common  



Farsightedness  (hyperopia  or  hypermetropia)  can  also  occur  



Astigmatism  is  common:    an  astigmatism  is  an  optical  defect  in  which  vision  is  blurred  due  to  
the  inability  of  the  optics  of  the  eye  to  focus  a  point  object  into  a  sharp  focused  image  on  
the  retina
...
 



In   Marfan   syndrome   the   health   of   the   eye   can   be   affected   in   many   ways   but   the   principal  
change  is  partial  lens  dislocation  (the  lens  is  shifted  out  of  its  normal  position)
...
 
 
 

THE  ACUTE  RED  EYE  
Causes:  


Conjunctivitis   (most   common):   is   inflammation   of   the   conjunctiva   (the   outermost   layer   of  
the   scelera   and   the   inner   surface   of   the   eyelids)
...
g
...
 



Anterior  uveitis  (also  known  as  iridocyclitis  and  iritis):  anterior  uveitis  is  the  inflammation  of  
the   iris   and   anterior   chamber   (e
...
  ciliary   body)
...
   Associated  with  cilliary  flush  (circumcorneal  injection)  



Posterior  uveitis  (also  known  as  chorioretinitis):  posterior  uveitis  is  the  inflammation  of  the  
retina  and  choroid
...
   Painless
...
   



Scleritis:   much   more   severe   inflammation   that   occurs   throughout   the   entire   thickness   of   the  
sclera
...
       Widespread
...
 



Acute  closed  angle  glaucoma  (ACAG):  red  eye,  painful,  headache,  N&V,  fixed  mildly  dilated  
pupil,  stoney  hard  eye  



Subconjunctival   haemorrhage:   also   known   as   hyposphagma,   is   bleeding   underneath   the  
conjunctiva
...
 When  this  happens,  blood  leaks  into  the  space  between  the  conjunctiva  
and  sclera
...
g
...
   Often  caused  
by  local  spread  from  a  sinus  infection
...
    Meibum   prevents  
tear   spillage   onto   the   cheek,   trapping   tears   between   the   oiled   edge   and   the  
eyeball,  and  makes  the  closed  lids  airtight  



Tears:      

! Tears  bathe  corneal  epithelial  cells  in  a  moist  environment,  preventing  them  from  
drying  out  and  weakening
...
     
! Furthermore,  white  blood  cells  can  be  transported  to  the  corneal  surface  via  the  
tear  film,  and  both  toxic  agents  as  well  as  debris  can  be  diluted  and  washed  away  
by  the  tear  film
...
  IgA   has   been   shown   to   prevent  
bacterial  binding
...
 The  
conjunctiva  is  also  one  of  the  closest  vascularized  tissues  to  the  cornea
...
 Not  only  does  the  conjunctiva  produce  
IgA,   like   the   lacrimal   glands,   but   it   also   contains   macrophages,   neutrophilic   granulocytes,  
mast  cells,  lymphocytes,  and  other  aspects  of  the  general  mucosal  (MALT)  immune  system
...
 At  the  same  time,  corneal  
epithelial   cells   also   secrete   cytokines   to   activate   microbial   defense
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
   Common  in  viral  infections  or  due  
to  surface  irritation
...
g  conjunctivitis  
! Greatest   around   cornea   (circumcorneal   injection   or   ciliary   flush)   likely   to  
indicate   intra-­‐ocular   problem   e
...
  keratitis   (corneal   inflammation)   or   anterior  
uveitis  (iritis)  or  glaucoma  =>  much  more  worrisome    



Cornea  
! Clear  (can  see  lens  and  pupil  clearly)  or  hazy  
! Foreign  body  
! Abrasion  
! Ulcer  
! Use   fluorescein   dye   and   blue   light:   stains   any   epithelial   defect   and   fluoresces  
green  under  blue  light  to  reveal  corneal  damage  



Anterior   chamber   (fluid-­‐filled   space   inside   the   eye   between   the   iris   and   the   cornea's  
innermost  surface,  the  endothelium)
...
g
...
     
VA  should  always  be  assessed
...
g  
constriction/miosis  on  focussing  on  near  object)  



Convergence:  eye  vergence  and  pupil  constriction  on  looking  at  near  object  



CN  examination  



IOP  (intraocular  pressure)  measured  via  tonometry  

 
Also  examine  lymph  nodes  if  suspect  infection
...
g  conjunctivitis  



Greatest   around   cornea   (circumcorneal   injection)   likely   to   indicate   intra-­‐ocular   problem  
(much  more  serious)  e
...
 keratitis  (corneal  inflammation)  or  anterior  uveitis  (iritis)  

 

 

 
 
 
Blepharitis  
Blepharitis  is  inflammation  of  the  eyelid,  the  severity  and  time  course  of  which  can  vary  
There   are   three   main   types   of   blepharitis:   staphylococcal   blepharitis   (anterior   blepharitis),  
seborrhoeic   blepharitis   (anterior   blepharitis)   and   meibomian   blepharitis   (posterior   blepharitis)
...
 The  underlying  cause  of  seborrhoeic  dermatitis  is  not  clear
...
 In  seborrhoeic  dermatitis,  the  affected  skin  becomes  more  oily  and  can  become  
scaly
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
5   to  
1
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
 
with  
pre-­‐auricular  
lymphadenopathy  
i
...
  Supportive  Tx:    cool  compresses  /  lubricants  

Don’t  forget  the  possibility  of  chlamydial  conjunctivitis,  especially  in:  
! Young  patient  
! Bilateral  
! Follicular  conjunctivitis  



Consider  chlamydia  PCR  swab
...
   



Much  more  serious  condition  (compared  to  conjunctivitis)  



Other  characteristic  symptoms  include:  
! Red   eye   (circumcorneal   injection   or   ciliary   flush)   –   in   contrast   to   the   forniceal  
injection  seen  in  conjunctivitis  
! Moderate  to  intense  pain  
! Loss  of  vision  
! Foreign  body  sensation  

! Sensitivity  to  light  (photophobia)  
! Watery  eyes  (epiphoria)  
! Blurred  vision
...
 

 
Anatomical  layers  of  the  cornea:  


Epithelium  (anterior  e
...
 on  surface  of  eye)  



Stroma  (middle  connective  tissue  layer)  



Endothelium  (posterior  e
...
 over  pupil  and  iris)  
 

Examination  


Use  of  anaesthetics  if  photophobic  



Corneal  reflection  



Use  of  fluorescein  (to  detect  damage)  –  organge  liquid  which  will  stain  green  with  cobalt  
blue  light  if  damaged  cornea  



Vascularisation  (not  normally  visible)  



Opacity:  the  cornea  is  usually  transparent  and  we  can  see  the  pupil  and  iris  clearly
...
g
...
e
...
 After  
healing,  this  form  of  keratitis  does  not  generally  leave  a  scar
...
e
...
 This  can  be  reduced  or  avoided  with  the  use  of  
topical  corticosteroid  eyedrops
...
 

 
Causes  


Infective:     Viral,   fungal,   bacterial,   acanthamoeba   (most   common   protozoa   in   soil,   and  
frequently  found  in  fresh  water  and  other  habitats)  



Immune:   Rheumatoid   arthritis,   hypersensitivity   (e
...
  marginal   ulcer,   and   rarely   Wegener’s  
granulomatosis,  polyarteritis  etc)  
 

Symptoms    


Red   eye:   circumcorneal   injection   (e
...
  pertaining   to   the   area   of   the   eye   surrounding   the  
cornea)  



Severe  pain:  Corneal  ulcers  are  extremely  painful  due  to  nerve  exposure  



Vision  may  be  reduced  e
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
   Many  causes  
including   drugs,   Sjogrens   disease,   RA,   and   CN   VII   dysfunction   (as   facial   nerve   supplies  
parasympathetic  innervations  to  the  lacrimal  gland)    



Neurotrophic  keratitis  e
...
 HZ,  HS  



Vitamin  deficiency  e
...
 Vit  A  –  xeropthalmia  and  keratomalacia  



Chlamydial  CT  keratitis  

 
Bacterial  Corneal  Ulcers  


Sight  threatening  (treat  as  in-­‐patient)  



Risk  factors:  
! Corneal  abrasion  (injury  to  surface  of  cornea)  –  very  common  in  CL  wearers  
! CL  (contact  lens)  wearer  =>  also  increases  risk  of  corneal  abrasions  
! Dry  eye  (xeropthalmia)  
! Iatrogenic  



Corneal  scrape  to  determine  causative  organism:  Staph  /  Strep  common  



Tx:  topical  AB  e
...
 ofloxacin  (quinolone  AB)    hourly  –  as  serious  infection  

 
 
Herpetic  Corneal  Ulcers  (dendritic  ulcer)  


Common  



Occur  due  to  HS  virus  



Ask  about  previous  HS  (herpes  simplex)  infections  –  gential  warts,  cold  sores  



Typical  dendritic  ulcer  as  shown  below  (very  distinctive)  



Treat  with  topical  aciclovir  5  day  (7-­‐10  days)  



DONT  use  of  topical  steroids  (leads  to  geographic  corneal  ulcer)  
 

 
 
Corneal  ulcers  treatment  


Identify  cause:  swab,  gram  stain  and  culture  



Bacterial  ulcers  can  follow  from  an  injury  or  from  wearing  contact  lenses  



Antimicrobials  if  infection  e
...
 ofloxacin  for  bacterial  or  acyclovir  for  viral  -­‐  HOURLY  



Steroids  if  autoimmune  (only  give  steroids  once  infection  has  been  ruled  out)  

 
Anterior  uveitis  


Uveitis   is   inflammation   of   the   middle   layer   of   the   eye,   called   the   uvea   or   uveal   tract   (iris,  
cliary  body  and  choroid/retina)
...
 



Anterior  uveitis:  this  is  inflammation  of  the  iris  (iritis)  or  inflammation  of  the  iris  and  the  
ciliary   body   (iridocyclitis),   and   is   the   most   common   type   of   uveitis,   accounting   for   about  
three  out  of  four  cases  



NB:  Anterior  uveitis  is  often  missed  and  treated  as  conjunctivitis  

 
Causes:  


Majority  of  cases  are  idiopathic  



Autoimmune:   Reiter's,   Ulcerative   colitis   (Enteropathic   arthiritis),   Ankylosing   Spondylitis,  
Sarcoidosis,  all  sero  –ve  spondyloarthropathies,  RA  



Infective  e
...
 T
...
 Syphillis,  HS  (common),  HZ  (minority  of  cases)  



Malignancy  e
...
 leukaemia  



Other  e
...
 idiopathic,  traumatic,  secondary  to  other  eye  disorders  etc  

 
Symptoms  


Pain  +/-­‐  referred  pain  



Red  eye:  circumcorneal  injection  



Vision  may  be  reduced  (blurred)  



Photophobia  (sensitivity  to  light)  



Floaters  (shadows  that  move  across  your  field  of  vision)  



Very  similar  symptoms  to  keratitis  

 
 
Signs  


Circumcorneal  redness  (injection)  



Keratic  precipitates  



Cells  /  Flare  in  anterior  chamber  



Hypopyon  (inflammatory  cells  in  the  anterior  chamber  of  eye)  if  severe  



Synechiae:   condition  where  the  iris  adheres  to  either  the  cornea  (i
...
 anterior  synechia)  or  
lens  (i
...
 posterior  synechia)  



Small  pupil  (miosis)  and/or  distorted  pupil  shape  (due  to  synechiae)  



Glaucoma  



Granulomatous  nodules  

 

 
 
Anterior  uveitis  management  


Topical  steroids  (unless  infective)  hourly  –  ONCE  RULED  OUT  INFECTIVE  



If  infective  treat  with  anti-­‐micorbials  or  anti-­‐virals  and  DO  NOT  give  steroids  



Topical   mydriatics   and   cycloplegics   (drugs   which   dilate   the   pupil   e
...
  tropicamide   or  
phenylephrine)   to   relieve   pain   due   to   cilliary   spasm
...
   
However,   in   iritis,   posterior   synechiae   (adhesions   of   iris   to   lens)   results   in   pupil   block   =>  
aqueous   humour   cant   flow   from   posterior   chamber   to   anterior   chamber
...
g
...
 


Investigate  for  systemic  associations  if  recurrent  or  chronic  

 
Episcleritis  


Episcleritis   is   a   benign,   self-­‐limiting   inflammatory   disease   affecting   part   of   the   eye   called  
the  episclera
...
   



Episcleritis   is   a   common   condition,   and   is   characterized   by   the   abrupt   onset   of   mild   eye  
pain  and  redness
...
   



The   disease   is   often   contracted   through   association   with   other   diseases   of   the   body,   such   as  
Wegener's  granulomatosis  or  rheumatoid  arthritis  or  connective  tissue  disease
...
 



Painful  and  injection  (redness)  of  deep  vascular  plexus  



Widespread  



Very  painful  



Phenylephrine  test:  Scleritis  may  be  differentiated  from  episcleritis  by  using  phenylephrine  
eye  drops,  which  causes  blanching  of  the  blood  vessels  in  episcleritis,  but  not  in  scleritis  



Associated  uveitis  common  

 
 
Episcleritis  versus  scleritis  

 
 
 
Acute  closed  angle  glaucoma  (ACAG)  


Not  common  (open  angle  glaucoma  is  much  more  common)  



Opthalamic  EMERGENCY  



In   closed   angle   glaucoma   the   iridocorneal   angle   is   completely   closed   because   of   forward  
displacement   of   the   final   roll   and   root   of   the   iris   against   the   cornea,   resulting   in   the   inability  
of   the   aqueous   fluid   to   flow   from   the   posterior   to   the   anterior   chamber   and   then   out   of   the  
trabecular  network
...
 



Acute   angle-­‐closure   glaucoma   (AACG)   occurs   when   the   pressure   inside   your   eye   gets   too  
high  very  quickly
...
 
 

What  causes  the  blockage?  


The  iridocorneal  angle  is  the  acute  angle  between  the  iris  and  the  cornea  at  the  periphery  of  
the  anterior  chamber  of  the  eye
...
     


The   trabecular   meshwork   is   responsible   for   draining   the   aqueous   humor   from   the   eye   via  
the  anterior  chamber  (the  chamber  on  the  front  of  the  eye  covered  by  the  cornea),  into  a  set  
of  tubes  called  Schlemm's  canals  which  flow  into  the  blood  system
...
   This  situation  results  in  an  acute  rise  in  intraocular  pressure  
(IOP)  whih  causes  a  number  of  symptoms  and  signs  depending  on  the  type  of  angle  closure
...
  For   example,   if   the   area   near   the   base   of   the   iris   is   very   narrow,   the   trabecular  
meshwork  can  get  blocked  more  easily
...
 

 
 

         

   
 
 

Risk  factors  


Ocular  hypertension  



Medications   e
...
  eye   dropswhich   are   used   to   dilate   the   pupil   such   as   tropicamide  
(anticholinergic  which  acts  as  a  mydriatic)
...
   Pupil  dilatation  (mydriasis)  can  precipitates  ACAG  (due  to  
iris  expanding  in  size  and  becoming  too  close  to  the  trabecular  meshwork)  



Night  time  =>  pupil  dilation    



Hypermetropia   (long   sigtedness   with   a   short   eye)   =>   short   eye   with   narrow   anterior  
chamber  =>  decreased  iridocorneal  angle  



Elderly   due   to   presbyopia   (age   related   hypermetropia/longsighthedness):   People   who   are  
farsighted  are  more  likely  to  have  eyes  with  shallow  anterior  chambers  (short  eye  lengths)  

and   narrow   angles,   increasing   their   risk   for   angle-­‐closure   glaucoma   from   pupil   dilation   or  
aging  changes  in  the  eye
...
g
...
 
Pilocarpine  (muscarinic  agonist)  also  acts  on  the  ciliary  muscle  and  causes  it  to  contract  (lens  
accomodation)
...
   This  
action   facilitates   the   rate   that   aqueous   humor   leaves   the   eye   to   decrease   intraocular  
pressure  (miosis  also  helps  due  to  effects  on  iris  muscles)
...
   The  surgeon  uses  an  Nd:YAG  laser  to  create  a  small  hole  in  the  
peripheral  iris
...
 Fluid  which  is  produced  behind  the  iris  has  easier  access  to  the  eye's  internal  
drainage  system
...
 The  primary  goal  of  the  procedure  is  to  lessens  the  risk  of  
acute   angle-­‐closure   glaucoma
...
 

 
Subconjunctival  haemorrhage  




Such   a   hemorrhage   may   be   caused   by   a   sudden   or   severe   sneeze   or   cough,   or   due   to  
hypertension   or   as   a   side   effect   of   blood   thinners
...
     



Can  also  be  caused  due  to  trauma  



PAINLESS  



 

A   subconjunctival   hemorrhage   is   bleeding   underneath   the   conjunctiva
...
  When   this  
happens,  blood  leaks  into  the  space  between  the  conjunctiva  and  sclera
...
 

 
 
 
 
Summary  



Injection   results   due   to   hyperaemia   (the   increase   of   blood   flow   to   a   tissue   due   to  
vasodilation   which  is  secondary  to  inflammation)
...
     



Conjunctivitis  is  the  less  serious  but  more  common  cause  of  red  eye  



Management  includes  assessing  whether  emergent  action  (including  referral)  is  needed,  or  
whether  treatment  can  be  accomplished  without  additional  resources
...
g
...
 



 

Red  eye  is  a  non-­‐specific  term  to  describe  an  eye  that  appears  red  due  to  illness  or  injury
...
 Influenzae)  



bacilli  (Pseudomonas)  

 

 
 

 
 
Ocular  infections  


Infection  of  the  eyelids  =  Blepharitis  



Infection  of  the  conjunctiva  =  Conjunctivitis  



Infection  of  the  sclera  =  scleritis  



Infection  of  the  cornea  =  keratitis  



Infection   of   the   uvea   (iris,   ciliary   body   and   choroid)   =   uveitis   (posterior   uveitis   can   also  
involve  the  retina  and  other  structures)  



Infection   of   the   intraocular   cavities   (e
...
  the   aqueous   and/or   vitreous   humor)   =  
Endophthalmitis  (suspect  in  infections  after  surgery)  



NB:  Panophthalmitis  is  inflammation  of  all  coats  of  the  eye  including  intraocular  structures
...
    It   is   commonly   due   to   an   infection   (usually   viral,   but  
sometimes  bacterial)  or  an  allergic  reaction
...
 
By  cause:  


Allergic  conjunctivitis  (atopic  conjunctivitis)  



Bacterial  conjunctivitis  including  chlamydial      -­‐  pappiale,  purulent  



Viral  conjunctivitis  –  follciles,  preauriculae  lymphadenopathy,  epiphroia    



Chemical  conjunctivitis  



Neonatal  conjunctivitis  is  often  defined  separately  due  to  different  organisms
...
 



Keratoconjunctivitis  is  the  combination  of  conjunctivitis  and  keratitis  (corneal  inflammation)  

 
Clinical  features  of  conjunctivitis  
Common  to  all  forms  of  conjunctivitis    


Red  eye/injection  (hyperaemia)  –  forniceal  injection  



Swelling  of  conjunctiva  (chemosis)    



Watering  (epiphora)  of  the  eyes    -­‐  more  common  in  viral  



NO  LOSS  OF  VISION  (but  blurring  may  occur  due  to  watering/discharge)  

 
Bacterial  conjunctivitis  


Rapid  onset  of  conjunctival  redness  (conjunctival  injection  around  the  conjunctival  fornices  
=>  forniceal  injection)  



Swelling  of  the  eyelid  (chemosis)  



Mucopurulent  discharge  =>  stickiness    and  crusting    



Typically,   symptoms   develop   first   in   one   eye,   but   may   spread   to   the   other   eye   within   2–5  
days
...
 



Severe  crusting  of  the  infected  eye  and  the  surrounding  skin  may  also  occur,  but,  contrary  to  
popular  belief,  discharge  is  not  essential  to  the  diagnosis
...
 



NO  LOSS  OF  VISION  



CONTACT  HISTORY  
 

 
 
Bacterial  conjunctivitis  common  pathogens  in  children  and  adults:  


Staph  aureus:  gram  +ve,  coagulase  +ve  Staphylococcus;  blue  gram  stain  with  clusters  



Strep  pneumonia:  gram  +ve,  alpha  (partial)  haemolytic  Streptococcus;  blue  gram  stain  with  
strips/chains  



Haemophilus  influenzae  (especially  in  children):  gram  –ve,  cocci-­‐baccili,  pink  gram  stain  



Common   bacteria   responsible   for   non-­‐acute   bacterial   conjunctivitis   are   Staphylococci   and  
Streptococci  

 
Bacterial  conjunctivitis  pathogens  in  neonates:  


Staph  aureus  



Neisseria  gonorrhoeae  



Chlamydia  trachomatis  



Refer  all  cases  to  ophthalmology  

 
Treatment  of  bacterial  conjunctivitis:  



Topical  antibiotic  usually  chloramphenical  qds  (four  times  a  day)  



Drops  vs  ointment  



Avoid  chloramphenicol  if  history  of  aplastic  anaemia  or  allergy  


 

Swab  for  M&C  

Be  aware  of  chloramphenicol  allergy  if  worsening  symptoms  

Conjunctivitis  in  contact  lenses  wearers  


Acanthamoeba  (protozoa  found  in  water)  



Pseudomonas   aeruginosa   (gram   –ve   bacterium   also   found   in   water)   –   reistant   to  
chloramphenicol    



Treat  with  ofloxacin  rather  than  chloramphenicol  



Be  sure  to  rule  our  corneal  abrasion  keratitis,  or  ulcerative  keratitis  –  fluroescien    

 

 
 
 
Viral  conjunctivitis  


Viral   conjunctivitis   is   often   associated   with   an   infection   of   the   upper   respiratory   tract,   a  
common  cold,  and/or  a  sore  throat
...
 

 
Pathogens  


Adenovirus   (most   commonly   cause   illness   of   the   respiratory   system   e
...
  cold   and  
pneumonia)  



Herpes  simplex  



Herpes  zoster  

 
Adenoviral  conjunctivitis  
 

 
 
 
Herpes  simplex  (HS)  conjunctivitis  


Primary   infection   most   commonly   manifests   as   blepharoconjunctivitis   i
...
  infection   of   lids  
and  conjunctiva  that  heals  without  scarring
...
 



Corneal  involvement  is  rarely  seen  in  primary  infection
...
g
...
 This  
organism   may   also   affect   other   parts   of   the   body   and   can   cause   the   sexually   transmitted  
infection  chlamydia
...
  It   is   characterized   by   white   lumps   in   the   undersurface   of   the   upper   eyelid  
(conjunctival  follicles  or  lymphoid  germinal  centres)  and  by  non-­‐specific  inflammation  and  thickening  
often   associated   with   papillae
...
  Active   trachoma   will   often   be   irritating   and   have   a   watery   discharge
...
 
The   later   structural   changes   of   trachoma   are   referred   to   as   “cicatricial   trachoma”
...
   
These  lashes  will  lead  to  corneal  opacities  and  scarring  and  then  to  blindness
...
g
...
 



The  bacteria  involved  is  often  Staphylococcus  aureus    



For   contact   lens   wearers,   the   organism   is   commonly   Pseudomonas   aeruginosa   (found   in  
drinking  water)
...
 



Ophthalmological  emergency  e
...
 ofloxacin  (stronger  than  chloramphenicol)  



Need  admission  for  hourly  drops  -­‐  OFLOXACIN  



Daily  review  



Usually  in  association  with  other  corneal  pathology  or  contact  lens  wear  

 
Clinical  features:  


Painful  eye  (moderate  to  severe)  



Impaired  eyesight  (blurred  vision)  



Red  eye  (circumcorneal  injection)  due  to  blood  vessel  dilation  (hyperaemia)  



Often,  the  conjunctiva  is  also  inflamed  –  keratoconjunctivitis  



Discharge  is  usually  present  and  may  be  watery,  mucoid  or  purulent;  notably,  it  is  absent  in  
keratoconjunctivitis  sicca  



Pupil  may  be  small  due  to  reflexive  miosis  



Photophobia  is  common  (worrying  sign)  



Fluorescein  readily  demonstrates  any  ulceration  (an  epithelial  breach)  –  stains  green  under  
cobalt  blue  light  



Opaqueness  of  cornea    

 
Bacterial  keratitis  with  hypopyon  
 

                         

 

 
Viral  keratitis  


Herpes  simplex  keratitis  (dendritic  keratitis):  Viral  infection  of  the  cornea  is  often  caused  by  
the   herpes   simplex   virus   which   frequently   leaves   what   is   called   a   ‘dendritic   ulcer’   -­‐   very  
recognisable/distinctive  appearance  



Herpes  zoster  keratitis  



Adenovirus  

 
Herpetic  (HS)  keratitis    


Very  painful  



Can  be  recurrent  



Recurrences  eventually  result  in  reduced  corneal  sensation  (corneal  anaesthesia)  



If  treated  with  steroids  can  cause  a  corneal  melt  and  perforation  of  the  cornea  (as  steroids  
cause  immunosupression)  =>  DONT  give  steroids  



Tx  with  Aciclovir  



Dendritic  ulcer  (seen  below)  is  very  characteristic    
 

   
 
Adenoviral  keratitis    


Bilateral  



Usually  follows  an  URTI  e
...
g
...
    Can  
accour   due   to   a   variety   of   causes   including   keratitis   and   uveitis
...
         



The   anterior   chamber   is   the   fluid-­‐filled   space   inside   the   eye   between   the   iris   and   the  
cornea's   innermost   surface,   the   endothelium
...
 

 
 
Orbital  cellulitis  


Orbital   cellulitis   is   inflammation   of   eye   tissues   behind   the   orbital   septum
...
 When  it  affects  the  rear  of  the  eye,  it  is  known  as  retro-­‐orbital  cellulitis
...
g
...
 



The  aqueous  humour  is  secreted  from  the  ciliary  epithelium,  a  structure  supporting  the  lens
...
 

 
Aetiology:  


Post-­‐surgical  e
...
 cataract  surgery    



Endogenous  

 
Clinical  features  


Severe  pain  



Decreasing  vision  



Very  red  eye  



Hypopyon  



Loss  of  red  reflex  

 
Organisms:  


 

Often  conjunctival  “commensals”  
Most  common  is  Staph  epidermidis    

 
 
Management:  


Intravitreal  injection  of  amikacin  and  vancomycin  (used  to  Tx  Staph  epidermidis)  



Topical  antibiotics  
 

 
 
Chorioretinitis  



Chorioretinitis   is   an   inflammation   of   the   choroid   (thin   pigmented   vascular   coat   of   the   eye)  
and  retina  of  the  eye
...
   



If  only  the  choroid  is  inflamed  and  not  the  retina,  the  condition  is  termed  choroiditis  

 
Pathogens:  


CMV  in  AIDS  or  immunocompromised  



Toxoplasma  gondii  (parasitic)  



Toxocara  canis  (worm)  

 
Clinical  features:  


Floaters  (e
...
 floating  black  spots)  



Flashing  lights  (photopsia)  



Blurred  vision  



Pain  in  the  eye  



Redness  in  eye  



Sensitivity  to  light  (photophobia)  



Excessive  tearing  (epiphora)  

 
 
Toxoplasmosis  


Toxoplasmosis  is  a  parasitic  disease  caused  by  the  protozoan  Toxoplasma  gondii  -­‐  parasite  



Mild  flu  like  illness  



A  unilateral  decrease  in  visual  acuity  is  the  most  common  symptom  of  toxoplasmic  retinitis
...
g
...
 

 

 
 
Diagnosis  of  eye  infections  


Swabs  for  microscopy,  culture,  PCR,  sensitivity    (bacterial)  



Swabs  for  PCR  (viral  and  chlamydial)  



Corneal  scrapes  in  bacterial  keratitis    



Aqueous/vitreous  sample  for  culture  in  endophthalmitis    



Microscopy/culture   for   acanthamoeba   (protozoa   found   in   water   which   can   cause   infection  
especially  in  contact  lenses  wearers)  



Serology  for  toxoplasma  and  toxocara    

 
Treatment  of  eye  infections  
Bacterial  conjunctivitis  


Usually  resolves  without  treatment  



Chloramphenicol:  treats  most  bacteria  except  Pseudomonas  aeruginosa  



Ofloxacin  for  CL  wearers  (to  cover  Pseudomonas  aeruginosa)  



Fusidic  acid:  treats  Staph
...
V):  treats  most  gram  negative  bacteria  including  Coliforms,  and    Pseudomonas  
aeruginosa  



Topical   oxytetracycline:   for   Chlamydial   conjunctivitis   (but   adults   may   also   need   oral  
azithromycin  treament  for  genital  chlamydia  infection)  

 
Herpetic  conjunctivitis  


Topical  +/-­‐  oral  antivirals  (aciclovir)  

 
Bacterial  keratitis  


Ofloxacin   (a   quinoline):   treats   most   gram   negative   bacteria   including   coliforms,  
Pseudomonas  aeruginosa,  and  Haemophilus  influenzae
...
 Pneumonia  



HOURLY  



Gentamicin   and   cefuroxime:   this   combination   will   treat   most   gram   positive   and   gram  
negative  organisms  

 
Dacryocystitis  


 

Dacryocystitis  is  an  inflammation  of  the  nasolacrimal  sac,  frequently  caused  by  nasolacrimal  
duct  obstruction  or  infection
...
 
Rememeber  lacrimal  gland  receieves  parasympathetic  innervation  from  CN  VII  

 

 
 
Immunology  
Hypersensitivity  reactions  


Type  I  atopic  e
...
 allergic  conjunctivitis  to  cat  or   hayfever   (IgE  mediated  release   of   histamine  
and  other  inflammatory  mediators  e
...
 leukotriennes)  



Type  II:  cytotoxic:   IgG/IgM/complement   mediated   +   MAC   (membrane   attack   complex  
which  causes  lysis)  killing  via  complement  



Type  III:  immune  complex:  IgG/IgM/complement  mediated  but  no  activation  of  MAC  



Type   IV:   delayed   type   hypersensitivity   reaction   (DTHS)   –   cell   mediated   e
...
  CD4,   CD8,  
macrophages  

 
Type  1  HS:  Acute  allergic  conjunctivitis    


Chemosis  (oedema/swelling)  



Redness  (mainly  due  to  vasodilatation  e
...
 hyperaemia)  



Epiphora  (excessive  tears)  



Pruritus  (itching)  



Often  combined  with  rhinitis  



Most  common  cause  is  hayfever  –  ask  about  allergies    
 

                 

   

 
Type  II   cytotoxic:  Moorens  ulcer  


Moorens  ulcer  is  autoimmune  condition  (AI)  



Rapidly  progressive,  painful,  ulcerative  keratitis  (cornea  inflammation)  which  initially  affects  
the  peripheral  cornea  and  may  spread  circumferentially  

 
Type  III  immune  complex:  Idiopathic  Iritis    


 

Uveitis  is  often  immune  complex  mediated  (type  3)  
Examplues  include  SLE  

Symptoms  of  acute  anterior  uveitis:  


Progressive  (over  a  few  hours/days)    



Unilateral  (usually  but  not  always)  



Painful  red  eye  



Blurred  vision    



Photophobia  



Epiphora  

 
Signs  of  anterior  uveitis:  


Visual  acuity  in  the  affected  eye  is  often  reduced  



The   pupil   may   be   abnormally   shaped   (due   to   iris   synechia)   or   of   a   different   size   to   the  
unaffected  eye
...
 



Injection  around  the  corneal  limbus  (edge  of  the  cornea)  is  characteristic  and  referred  to  as  
circumlimbal  injection
...
 



The  characteristic  sign  is  the  presence  of  cells  in  the  aqueous  humour
...
     

                     
 

 

 
Hypopyon  


Hypopyon  is  inflammatory  cells  in  the  anterior  chamber  of  eye
...
 It  is  a  sign  of  inflammation  of  the  anterior  uvea  
and  iris,  i
...
 iritis,  which  is  a  form  of  anterior  uveitis
...
 

 
 
Type  IV  delayed  hypersensisivity  eg
...
 



The  granulomas  (formed  due  to  type  4  DTHS  reaction)  are  most  often  located  in  the  lungs,  
joints,  or  the  lymph  nodes,  but  any  organ  can  be  affected
...
   



Sarcoidosis  may  be  asymptomatic  or  chronic
...
g
...
 Then  try  to  clarify  the  problem  by  asking  more  specific  
questions
...
 



Associated   Features:     red   eye,   discharge,   photophobia,   epiphoria,   distortion,   headache,  
floaters/flashers,  nausea,  systematic  enquiry    



Timing  and  duration:  how  long?  Intermittent  or  constant  –  how  long?  



Course:  worsening,  progressively,  stable  or  improving
...
g
...
 



Severity:    mild,  moderate  or  severe  
 

Visual  Aberrations  


Glare  and  haloes  –  can  be  suggestive  of  cataractas  or  ACAG  



Visual  distortion  (other  than  blurring)  and  metamorphopsia  (suggestive  of  wet  type  ARMD)  



Flashing  lights  and  floaters  –  can  be  suggestive  of  migraine,  RD  or  VH  



Double  vision  (diplopia):  monocular  or  binocular,  vertical,  tilted  or  horizontal,  better/worse  
in  any  particular  direction  of  gaze
...
 

 
Past  ocular  history  


Does  patient  wear  glasses  or  contact  lenses?  



Any  known  diagnoses?  



History  of  amblyopia  (lazy  eye  since  childhood)  squint
...
   



Endocrine  disease  e
...
 thyroid
...
   



Ask  about  any  OTC  self-­‐administered  drops
...
g
...
   



Strabismus   is   present   in   about   4%   of   children
...
 



If  strabismus  is  present  when  the  patient  looks  with  both  eyes  (binocular),  the  condition  is  
called   manifest   strabismus   or   heterotropia
...
    Exotropia   and  
esotropia  are  also  known  as  divergent  or  convergent  squint  respectively
...
  This  
condition   includes   exophoria,   esophoria,   hyperphoria,   and   hypophoria
...
     



Therefore  we  must  perform  the  cover-­‐uncover  test  to  detect  a  latent  squint
...
 The  paretic  type  is  due  to  paralysis  
of   one   or   several   muscles   that   are   responsible   for   natural   eye   movements   (muscular   or  
neurological  cause)
...
 



Paralytic   strabismus   has   many   causes   including   oculomotor   (CN   III)   nerve   palsy,   trochlear    
(CN  IV)  nerve  palsy,  congenital  CN  IV  palsy,  abucent  (CN  VI)  nerve  palsy,  myasthenia  gravis,  
and  Graves  disease  (restrictive  myopathy)  

 
The  Cover  Test  
The  cover  test  is  the  test  to  detect  and  grade  a  squint
...
    If   more   nasal   =>   suggests  
exotropia
...
   Can  only  detect  manifest  squint
...
     
Some   squints   may   be   intermittent   and   only   apparent   when   focussing   is   exerted   at   near
...
 
If  the  patient  wears  glasses  a  cover  test  should  be  carried  out  with  and  without  glasses  to  see  what  
effect  the  glasses  have  on  the  size  or  control  of  the  deviation
...
 The  norm  being  slightly  nasal
...
      If   the   reflection   is   more   nasal   than  
normal  this  is  suggestive  of  an  exotropia
...
 



Using   an   occluder   cover   the   “straight”   (fixing)   eye   and   observe   the   movement   of   the  
uncovered  eye
...
e
...
 



The   uncovered   eye   moves   out   from   its   convergent   position   to   take   up   fixation   in   an  
esotropia
...
 

 
Exotropia  (wall  eyed)  


Cover   the   “normal”   fixing   eye
...
 



The  uncovered  eye  moves  in  (adducts)  from  its  divergent  position  to  take  up  fixation  in  an  
exotropia
...
 

 

 
 
 
Manifest  squint  


A  manifest  squint  (tropia  strabismus)  is  an  imbalance  between  the  eyes  



One   eye   needs   to   take   up   central   fixation   therefore   the   other   eye   will   squint   e
...
  left  
esotropia
...
 



In  manifest  squint,  binocular  vision  is  not  present
...
 
 

Cover  uncover  test:    latent  squint  



If  the  corneal  reflections  are  symmetrical  and  no  manifest  deviation  has  been  found,  a  latent  
deviation  (phoria  strabismus)  is  suspected
...
e
...
  Repeat   with   the   other   eye
...
g
...
  The   movement   that   is   seen   as   the   occluder   is   removed   is   a  
recovery  movement  as  fusion  is  regained  (See  figures  3  and  4  below)  



Therefore,   in   the   cover-­‐uncover   test,   we   cover   both   eyes   (separately)   and   observe   each  
eye  as  it  is  uncovered
...
g
...
 



If   the   eye   moves   in   as   it   is   uncovered,   it   has   been   in   a   divergent   position   e
...
  a   latent  
divergence  or  exophoria
...
g  if  an  esophoria  is  found  in  the  R,  an  esophoria  will  
also  be  found  in  the  L  

 
Esophoria  


If   the   eye   moves   out   as   it   is   uncovered,   it   has   been   in   a   convergent   position   e
...
  a   latent  
convergence  or  esophoria
...
  A   recovery   movement   is   seen   as   the   cover  
is  removed  -­‐  the  eye  moves  out  from  its  convergent  position  to  regain  binocular  vision
...
g
...
 



Each  eye  diverges  under  cover  in  an  exophoria
...
 

 
 
Alternate  cover  test:  maximum  deviation  


The  alternate  cover  test  is  used  to  elicit  the  maximum  size  of  the  deviation
...
  This   will   completely   dissociate   the   eyes   and   allow   the  
examiner  to  detect  even  very  small  latent  deviations
...
   



A  cover-­‐uncover  test  will  still  need  to  be  carried  out  to  determine  whether  the  deviation  is  
manifest  or  latent
...
 
There  are  three  cranial  nerves  that  supply  the  EOM:  


Oculomotor  (CN  III):  Medial  rectus,  inferior  rectus,  superior  rectus,  inferior  oblique
...
   



Observe  corneal  reflections  to  ensure  fixation  is  maintained  throughout  assessment
...
 



Move   the   pentorch   into   each   of   the   other   8   of   the   9   positions   of   gaze   and   carry   out   an  
alternate  cover  test  in  each  position
...
     



Look  for  changes  in  size  and  direction  of  the  deviation
...
   
Also   ask   in   which   position   of   gaze   the   separation   of   the   two   images   is   greatest,   which   will  
help  diagnose  the  affected  muscle
...
   



Know  how  to  use  a  Snellen  chart  and  document  results
...
     



A  6/6  measurement  is  normal  visual  acuity
...
 



The  use  of  a  pin-­‐hole  and  different  types  of  spectacles  should  be  understood  
 

Pupil  Examination  


Inspect  pupils  initially:  symmetry,  size,  shape  



Pupillary  light  reflex  (afferent  CN  II,  efferent  CN  III  parasympathetic  fibres)  



Pupil  accommodation  (CN  III  parasympathetic  fibres)  e
...
 constriction  (miosis)  on  focussing  
on   near   object   and   dilation   (mydriasis)   on   focussing   on   far   object   (howeve   mydriasis   =  
sympathetic  NS)  
 

Pupillary  light  Reflex  Anatomy  
Understand,  that  the  pupillary  light  reflex  consists  of  a  four  neurones  reflex  arc:  


1st  neurone:  Connects  the  photoreceptors  in  retina  (photoreceptive  ganglion  cells)  with  the  
pre-­‐tectal  nucleus  (tectum)  in  the  midbrain  via  the  optic  nerve
...
 



2nd  neurone:  Fibres  travel  bilaterally  and  connects  pretectal  nucleus  to  both  the  ipsilateral  
and   contralateral   Edinger   Westphal   nuclei   (parasympathetic   CN   III   nuclei)
...
 



3rd   neurone:   Connects   the   Edinger   Westphal   nuclei   (pre   ganglionic   fibres)   to   the   ciliary  
ganglion
...
 



Consensual  response  =  Simultaneous  constriction  of  the  other  pupil
...
  Both  
pupils   should   stay   equally   constricted
...
    The   lesion   will   result   in   an   ipsilateral   (relative)   dilation   of   the   pupil   on  
swinging  light  to  affected  eye
...
   This  is  important  for  foccuing  on  near  objects
...
g
...
 


Optic  nerve  /  retinal    =>  Complete  afferent  pupillary  defect  or  RAPD  (partial  afferent  defect)  
! Marked  defect  =>  shining  the  light  in  the  affected  eye  will  result  in  no  constriction  
of  either  pupil  e
...
 Shining  the  light  in  the  right  
eye   will   result   in   constriction   of   both   pupils
...
 
! Mild   =>   shining   the   light   in   the   affected   eye   will   result   in   a   slow   constriction   of  
both  pupils,  but  then  a  gradual  dilation  of  both  pupils
...
e
...
     
! In   an   abnormal   swinging-­‐light   test   (i
...
  there   is   a   RAPD)   there   is   less   pupil  
constriction  in  the  eye  with  the  retinal  or  optic  nerve  disease
...
   The  affected  pupil  will  appear  to  dilate  on  shinging  the  light  into  
it
...
g   the   pupils   accommodate),  

but  do  not  constrict  when  exposed  to  bright  light
...
 In  general,  pupils  that  “accommodate  but  do  not  react”  
are  said  to  show  light-­‐near  dissociation
...
  If   painful   with  
mydriasis  then  suspect  a  posterior  communicating  aneurysm  (emergency)
...
   

NB:   Oculosympathetic   palsy   (Horner’s   Syndrome)   and   causes   of   Horner’s   Syndrome   (congenital,  
carotid   aneurysm,   lesions   of   the   neck,   eg   trauma   or   surgery,   brain   stem   vascular   disease   or   MS,  
Pancoast   tumour   of   the   lung,   etc
...
        PUPIL   REFLEX  
UNAFFECTED  IN  HORNERS
...
   

 
Visual  fields  




Use  simultaneous  presentation  of  hands  as  screen  for  hemianopia  with  both  of  the  patient’s  
eyes  open
...
 



Tell  the  patient  to  look  into  the  open  eye  at  all  times
...
 Repeat  with  the  other  eye
...
 



 

The   examiner   and   subject   should   be   seated   approximately   70   -­‐   100cm   apart   (approx   arms  
length)  such  that  the  hand  /  fingers  occupy  a  plane  midway  between  them
...
 

Optic  Disc  Basics  
Introduction  


‘Optic   Disc’   is   frequently   used   to   describe   the   portion   of   the   optic   nerve   head   clinically  
visible   on   examination
...
 



The   optic   nerve   itself   is   a   cylindrical   structure   of   approximately   50mm   in   length,   between  
the  retina  and  the  optic  chiasm
...
 



When  assessing  a  disc  for  glaucoma  there  are  many  subtle  characteristics  which  should  be  
examined,  and  are  covered  in  detail  in  the  Glaucoma  Evaluation  Tutorial  



At  the  very  least,  all  one  should  remember  for  an  assessment  of  the  optic  disc  is  “the  3  Cs”  -­‐  
the  cup,  colour  and  contour
...
 



 

The  borders  of  the  optic  disc  should  be  clear  and  well  defined
...
     
The   orange-­‐pink   appearance   of   the   neuroretinal   rim   represents   healthy,   well   perfused  
neuro-­‐retinal  tissue
...
e
...
  These   include   advanced  
glaucoma,   optic   neuritis,   arteritic   or   non-­‐arteritic   ischaemic   optic   neuropathy   or   a  
compressive  lesion
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
 
This  pale  centre  is  devoid  of  neuroretinal  tissue  and  is  called  the  cup
...
 A  cup  to  disc  ratio  of  0
...
e
...
 



An   increased   cup   to   disc   ratio   may   indicate   a   decrease   in   the   quantity   of   healthy   neuro-­‐
retinal  tissue  and  hence,  glaucomatous  change
...
 A  more  comprehensive  disc  assessment  tool  is  the  DDLS  (Disc  Damage  Likelihood  
Score)  

 
Examination  Techniques  


There  are  many  methods  by  which  one  can  exam  the  optic  nerve
...
  This   hand   held   device   is   cheap   and   readily  
available   in   most   clinical   settings
...
 



All  methods  described  above  rely  on  a  degree  of  patient  cooperation,  but  it  is  essential  that  
pupils   are   dilated   (mydriasis)   prior   to   the   examination
...
 This  may  be  more  difficult,  or  
longer,  in  those  with  dark  irides,  diabetics  or  concurrent  ocular  inflammation
...
 The  importance  of  using  the  lowest  
illumination  necessary
...
 



The  focusing  dial:  clockwise  (yellow/green/white)  for  plus  convex  (convergent)  lenses  (+1  to  
+20),   anti-­‐clockwise   (red)   for   minus   concave   (divergent)   lenses   (-­‐1   to   –35)
...
 


Observer  should  remove  glasses  unless  astigmatic  (and  patient  should  remove  glasses  unless  
very  myopic)  to  enable  the  ophthalmoscope  to  be  held  as  close  as  possible  to  the  observer’s  
eye
...
  Keep   top   of  
ophthalmoscope  close  to  observer’s  brow  such  that  the  ophthalmoscope  aperture  is  close  to  
the  eye
...
 Ask  patient  to  look  directly  ahead  (focussing  on  
far  object  =>  pupil  dilation  =>  better  view  of  fundus)  or  ask  patient  to  look  at  a  target  –  be  
aware   that   this   may   be   confusing   since   the   observer   may   well   block   the   target   causing  
patient  confusion  and  eye  movement  and  make  allowances
...
 Compare  each  R/R
...
 



Stand  to  the  side  of  the  patient  (not  in  front),  place  hand  on  patient’s  forehead  (or  shoulder)  
and   whilst   keeping   pupil   aligned,   move   closer   to   eye   from   a   slightly   temporal   approach   -­‐  
coming   in   from   approximately   45   degrees   should   help   you   to   land   on   the   optic   disc
...
  Dial  
through  the  lenses  towards  0  to  bring  retina  into  focus  (follow  the  red  reflex  in)  



The   patient’s   pupil   is   like   a   keyhole,   the   nearer   you   are   the   more   you   see,   the   observer  
should  bring  the  ophthalmoscope  very  close  to  the  patient’s  eye  (3-­‐5  cm)  whilst  keeping  it  
close  to  their  own
...
   The  importance  of  pupil  dilatation  will  be  noted  from  lectures  and  practicals
...
 



Students  should  follow  a  methodical  pattern  of  examination
...
   Always  go  
back  to  the  optic  disc  after  looking  at  each  arcade
...
g
...
       

 
Cup  to  disc  ratio  (CDR)  




CDR  =  the  proportion  of  the  disc  that  is  occupied  by  the  cup
...
4  or  CDR  0
...
 But  
opinions   vary   as   to   what   CDR   constitutes   a   glaucomatous   disc   some   say   0
...
8
...
3   to   0
...
  However   this   technique   of   evaluating   the   optic   disc   has   been  
shown   to   be   inaccurate   and   highly   variable   in   the   way   that   it   is   recorded
...
 Early  glaucomatous  changes  
are   subtle   and   may   appear   similar   to   normal   optic   discs
...
 
Even   before   glaucoma   reveals   its   first   symptoms,   the   ophthalmologist   is   able   to   determine   the  
morphological  changes  of  the  head  of  a  damaged  optical  nerve  (which  is  called  the  "optic  disc")  with  
a  simple  fundoscopy  examination
...
g
...
g
...
  It   is  
composed   of   millions   of   retinal   nerve   fibers   that   bundle   together   and   exit   to   the   brain  

through   the   optic   disc   located   at   the   back   of   the   eye
...
   
The   optic   nerve   head,   often   called   the   disc,   is   mostly   filled   with   fibers
...
 We  all  want  to  have  lots  of  fibers,  so  we  want  a  big  rim  (and  by  subtraction,  
a   small   cup)
...
 The  bigger  the  ratio,  the  more  empty  space  there  is  in  the  nerve  
head
...
 Most  persons  in  the  population  
average  a  cup/disc  ratio  of  about  0
...
7  or  greater  happen  only  2
...
  This   causes   the   cup   to  
become   larger   in   comparison   to   the   optic   disc,   since   the   support   structure   is   not   there
...
 



A  cup  to  disc  ratio  greater  than  0
...
   

 

 
 
 
Optic  disc  pallor    

Optic   disc   pallor   refers   to   an   abnormal   coloration   of   the   optic   disc   as   visualized   by   a   fundoscopic  
examination
...
  With   optic   disc  
pallor,  an  abnormal  pale  yellow  color  is  evident
...
 

 
 
In  the  photo  of  the  eye  above,  the  neuroretinal  rim  is  much  whiter  than  in  the  normal  optic  disc
...
 The  loss  of  the  small  capillaries  within  the  
nerve  accounts  for  the  shift  from  orange-­‐pink  to  white
...
 First,  the  color  change  may  be  very  subtle
...
  Third,   a   cataract   may  
make  a  pale  disc  look  orange
...
 
 
Optic  cup  deepening  


Can  occur  as  a  result  of  the  increased  pressure  acting  on  the  optic  disc  

 
 
 
Optic  disc  and  cup  
 

 

 

Examination  of  the  Eye  &  Vision  
Introduction  


Wash  hands  



Introduce  yourself  



Confirm  patient  details  (name  +  DOB)  



Explain  examination  



Gain  consent  



Appropriately  position  the  patient  



Ask  if  the  patient  is  any  pain  or  discomfort  



Ask  if  the  patient  is  comfortable  before  proceeding  
 

Visual  Acuity  
1
...
g
...
   Fine  print  reading  


Ask  patient  to  cover  one  eye  



Ask  patient  to  read  a  paragraph  of  small  print  in  a  book/newspaper  



Repeat  with  the  other  eye  



If  they  normally  wear  glasses  for  reading,  ensure  these  are  worn  for  the  assessment  

 
 Visual  Fields  


Sit  directly  opposite  the  patient,  at  a  distance  of  around  1  metre  



Ask  patient  to  cover  one  eye  with  their  hand  



If  the  patient  covers  their  right  eye,  you  should  cover  your  left  eye  (just  mirror  the  patient)  



Ask   patient   to   focus   on   your   face   &   not   move   their   head   or   eyes   during   the   assessment,   you  
should  do  the  same  and  focus  your  gaze  on  the  patients  face  



Ask  the  patient  to  tell  you  when  they  can  see  your  fingertip  wiggling  



Position  your  fingertip  at  the  border  of  one  of  the  quadrants  of  your  visual  field  



Slowly  bring  your  fingertip  inwards,  towards  the  centre  of  your  visual  field  until  the  patient  
sees  it  



If   you   are   able   to   see   your   fingertip,   but   the   patient   cannot,   this   would   suggest   a   reduced  
visual  field  



Repeat  this  process  for  each  quadrant,  then  repeat  the  entire  process  for  the  other  eye  



Document  your  findings  

 
Visual  neglect  /  inattention  


Sit  directly  opposite  the  patient,  at  a  distance  of  around  1  metre  



Ask  patient  to  focus  on  your  face  &  not  move  their  head  or  eyes  during  the  assessment  



Hold  both  arms  out,  with  your  fingers  in  the  periphery  of  both  yours  &  the  patients  field  of  
vision  



Remind  the  patient  to  keep  their  head  still  &  their  eyes  fixed  on  your  face  



Ask  patient  to  point  at  which  fingers  are  moving  



Move  the  fingers  of  left  &  right  hand  in  whichever  order  you  choose  



Then  move  the  fingers  of  both  hands  simultaneously  



If  the  patient  only  points  to  one  of  the  hands,  when  fingers  are  moving  on  both  hands,  this  
would  be  suggestive  of  visual  neglect  



Visual   neglect   can   suggest   damage   to   the   frontal   or   parietal   lobes   of   the   brain   e
...
  stroke,  
trauma,  etc  

 
 
CAN  ALSO  ASSESS  FOR  BLIND  SPOTS  
   
Pupils  
Pupil  inspection  


Size  (normal,  miosis,  mydriasis)  



Shape  (irregular  shape  may  be  a  sign  of  uveitis)  



Symmetry:  aniscoria  =  different  sized  pupils  

 
Pupil  reflexes:    4  TESTS  
To   best   see   pupillary   reflexes,   the   room   should   be   dimly   lit   =>   pupils   dilate
...
     


Direct   pupillary   reflex:   Shine   light   into   the   pupil   &   observe   constriction   of   that   pupil
...
g
...
    This   time   observe   the  
contralateral   pupil
...
    Lack   of   a   normal   consensual   response   may   suggest:   damage   to   optic   nerve  
shining  light  in,  or  damage  to  the  Edinger  Westphal  Nucleus,  or  damage  to  CN  III  



Swinging  light  test:    Move  the  pen  torch  every  3  seconds  between  the  2  pupils    This  test  may  
detect  a    relative  afferent  pupillary  defect  (RAPD)  -­‐  caused  by  damage  of  the  tract  between  
the   retina   &   optic   chiasm,   such   as   optic   neuritis   in   multiple   sclerosis
...
 A  RAPD  can  be  detected  by  paradoxical  dilatation  of  the  affected  pupil  
when  light  is  shining  into  it  (it  should  normally  constrict)
...
      Then   ask   them   to  
focus  on  a  much  closer  object  (often  a  finger  or  pen  torch)
...
   Use  corneal  reflections
...
   On  covering  the  eye  observe  the  uncovered  eye
...
   Onserve  the  covered  eye  on  uncovering
...
g
...
     

 
Fundoscopy  
Preparation  


Darken  the  room  



Warn  pt  will  have  to  get  very  close  to  them    



Ideally   the   patient   should   have   their   pupils   dilated   with   short-­‐acting   mydriatic   eye   drops  
(e
...
 0
...
   Dial  up  a  +0
...
   The  red  reflex  is  caused  by  light  reflecting  back  from  the  vascularised  
retina
...
   Compare  R  and  L  red  reflex
...
   Comment  
on  the  external  structures  I  am  observing  while  moving  in
...
   Begin  medially  &  assess  the  
optic   disc:   colour,   contour,   cupping,   shape   and   size,   venous   pulsation,   drusen,  
neovascularisation  



Assess   the   retinal   vessels     in   all   4   arcades   (ask   pt   to   look   in   direction   foarcade   I   am  
examining)  –  going  back  to  the  optic  disc  after  each  arcade:  cotton  wool  spots,  AV  nipping,  
neovascularisation,  dot/blot  or  flame  haemorrhages,  drusen  



Finally   assess   the   macula:   ask   patient   to   look   directly   into   the   light
...
g
...
   The  lacrimal  gland  received  parasympathetic  innervations  from  CN  
VII  (facial  nerve)  
 
 
Ophthalmology:  sample  exam  questions  
1
...
   Patient  presents  with  a  suspected  squint  =>  what  tests  should  we  carry  out?  What  is  the  type  of  
squint?  

 


Hirschberg  test:  It  is  performed  by  shining  a  light  in  the  person's  eyes  and  observing  where  
the  light  reflects  off  the  corneas  (comparing  right  and  left)
...
   When   doing   the  
test,  the  light  reflexes  of  both  eyes  are  compared,  and  will  be  symmetrical  in  an  individual  
with   normal   fixation
...
     
! In  exotropia  the  light  lands  on  the  medial  aspect  of  the  cornea
...
 
!  In  hypertropia  the  light  lands  on  the  inferior  aspect  of  the  cornea
...
   
! A  cover  test  can  tell  you  the  extent  of  the  eso/exotropia  



The  example  above  shows  a  manifest  right  convergent  (esotropia)  squint
...
   We  can  say  it  convergent  (esotropia)  as  the  light  reflex  is  on  lateral  
aspect  of  cornea
...
     



A   manifest   squint   (tropia)   is   an   imbalance   between   the   eyes
...
    However   remember  
on  cover  test  when  the  squinting  eye  takes  up  fixation  the  other  eye  will  deviate
...
   If  a  manifest  squint  is  detected  do  not  go  on  to  look  
for  a  latent  squint
...
 There  are  three  stages  to  the  cover  test:  
! 1
...
  The   norm   being   slightly   nasal
...
  Using   an   occluder   cover   the   “straight”   (fixing)   eye  
and  observe  the  movement  of  the  uncovered  eye
...
e
...
    If   the   uncovered   eye   moves   in   to   take   up  
fixation,   it   has   been   in   a   divergent   position   i
...
  a   manifest   divergent   squint   or  
exotropia
...
  The   cover/uncover   test   (as   you   remove   the   occluder   watch   the   eye   that   has  
been   underneath   to   assess   for   latent   deviation):   If   the   corneal   reflections   are  
symmetrical   and   no   manifest   deviation   has   been   found,   a   latent   deviation  
(phoria)   is   suspected
...
e
...
 Repeat  with  the  
other  eye
...
 The  movement  that  is  seen  as  the  
occluder   is   removed   is   a   recovery   movement   as   fusion   is   regained
...
e
...
    If   the   eye   moves   in   as   it   is   uncovered,   it   has   been   in   a  
divergent  position  i
...
 a  latent  divergence  or  exophoria
...
 The  alternate  cover  test   –  to  find  maximum  deviation  (manifest  or  latent):  The  
alternate  cover  test  is  used  to  elicit  the  maximum  size  of  the  deviation
...
 This  will  completely  dissociate  the  eyes  and  allow  
the   examiner   to   detect   even   very   small   latent   deviations
...
 A  cover-­‐uncover  
test   will   still   need   to   be   carried   out   to   determine   whether   the   deviation   is  
manifest  or  latent
...
   Patent  has  been  asked  to  look  in  various  directions,  which  muscle(s)  is  not  working,  and  what  is  
the  CN  which  supplies  that  muscle  

 


Lateral  rectus  palsy  in  the  right  eye  =>  failure  to  abduct  right  eye  



Lateral  rectus  is  supplied  by  CN  VI  (abducent  nerve)  



Righ  CN  VI  palsy  



Note  the  patient  also  has  an  esotropia  on  looking  foreward  

 
4
...
g
...
g  DM  retinopathy),  the  gel  will  “hold  onto”  the  blood  which  can  
cause  vision  loss  


Retinal  detachment  



Optic  neuritis  

 
5
...
g
...
    This   value   (x)   represents   the   distance   at   which   the   letters   become   unclear   to   an  
individual  with  normal  eyes  x  metres  away  e
...
 5=>  this  line  of  letters  would  be  unclear  to  
normal  eyes  at  5  metres  distance  



In  the  most  familiar  acuity  test,  a  Snellen  chart  is  placed  at  a  standard  distance:  20  ft  in  the  
US,  or  6  metres  in  the  rest  of  the  world
...
     



Examples  

! 6/6  is  normal  
! 6/5   means   what   a   normal   person   sees   from   5   metres   away,   you   see   from   6  
metres  
! 6/9  is  poor  vision,  what  you  see  from  6  metres  a  normal  person  sees  from  9  

 
 
 
 
6
...
    What   is   this  
clinical  sign,  and  should  we  wake  an  ophthalmologist  in  the  middle  of  the  night  to  assess  patient?  

 

     



The  coloured  clinical  photograph  above  clearly  shows  hyphema  



A   hyphema   is   a   pooling   or   collection   of   blood   inside   the   anterior   chamber   of   the   eye   (the  
space  between  the  cornea  and  the  iris)
...
g
...
   When  describing  the  optic  disc  use  the  3Cs:  


Colour    



Contour  



Cup  



+  shape  and  size  



Venous  pulsation  



Drusen  



Neovascularisation  

Can  also  comment  on  blood  vessels  (always  come  out  at  nasal  side)  
 
 
8
...
    What   is   this   lesion?   What   is   the   name   of   the   dye   it   has   been   stained   with   and   what   is   the   topical  
medication  you  would  definitely  NOT  gave  this  patient?  

 


Dendrtitic   ulcer   (type   of   corneal   ulcer)   caused   by   HSV   (herpes   simplex   virus)   –   very  
distinguishable    



The   eye   has   been   stained   with   fluorescein   dye   (orangey   colour)   =>   shows   up   epithelial  
damage  (yellowish/green  colour)  on  cornea  which  is  enhanced  by  cobalt  blue  light  



NEVER  GIVE  THESE  PATIENT  STEROIDS  =>  high  risk  of  geographical  ulcer  which  can  perforate  
and  is  very  hard  to  treat  
 

9
...
g
...
g
...
g
...
 How  to  describe  a  fundus  


R  or  L  eye  



Disc:  
! Contour:   a   healthy   disc   has   well   delineated   margins   where   you   can   easily   see  
where  the  disc  ends  and  retina  starts  
! Colour:  a  healthy  disc  is  normally    pink  to  orange  in  color  with  a  paler  cup  
! Cup:  a  healthy  disc  has  a  small  cup  to  disc  ratio  (<0
...
  fluid   can   be   reabsorbed   and  
proteins  left  beyond  (which  appear  as  yellowish  lesions)    
! Cotton  wool  spots  
! Vessel  abnroamlities    
! Neovascularisation  



Lesion  description  (as  in  previous  question)  

 
 

 
 
 
 
 


Title: Ophthalmology lecture notes
Description: A very comprehensive and detailed set of notes covering all aspects of ophthalmology. Complete with a nice set of diagrams to aid learning. Useful for medical students.