Overview Amblyopia is a condition whereby there is a reduction in visual acuity due to a problem with focussing in early childhood. This results in reduced acuity as the brain is not stimulated to...
Cataracts
Introduction A cataract is an opacification of the lens of the eye. Cataracts tend to cause gradual loss of visual acuity, with normal pupillary response. Cataracts are the most common non-refractive cause of visual...
Dry Eyes
Causes Common in the elderly – reduced tear secretion Persistent gritty sensation without red eye Sjörgen’s syndrome: autoimmune condition, dry eyes and mouth which often accompanies connective tissue disorders e.g. rheumatoid arthritis Diuretics and...
Enophthalmos
Blowout fracture of the orbit Microphthalmos (defect in embryogenesis, also cataract and refractive errors) Cicatrising metastatic breast carcinoma (rare, progressive enophthalmos associated with very poor prognosis)
Giant Cell Arteritis
Introduction Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) aka Temporal Arteritis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition of the medium to large arteries which particularly affects the branches of the carotid artery. It presents with acute onset temporal headache,...
Glaucoma
Introduction Definition of glaucoma – gradual death of the optic nerve often associated with high intraocular pressure. Increase intraocular pressure is usually due to an imbalance in aqueous humour production and drainage. The Aqueous...
Lid Disease
Chalazion Granuloma of meibomian glands (reactions to accumulation of lipid following duct blockage) Initially a hard and inflamed lump in the lid, settles to leave a discrete lump, visible on lid eversion Often settle...
Macular Degeneration
Introduction Macular degeneration (aka age-related maculopathy – ARM) is a condition that causes gradual visual loss, typically in older patients. It can be split into two types: Dry – atrophic Wet – exudative Red flags for...
Proptosis
Orbital cellulitis Ophthalmic emergency, infection of soft tissues behind orbital septum extension of infection from periorbital structures (ethmoid sinusitis), face, globe, lacrimal sac or dental infection direct inoculation of orbit from trauma haematogenous spread...
Pupillary Defects
For a really good demonstration of how this works, see Eye simulator V2.0 Physiology There are two nerves involved in pupillary responses: Optic Nerve (II) – this is the afferent nerve – it detects...
