Eye Diseases, Senses, and Nervous Systems

Quiz Part 1

cataracts

anatomy impact: the lens becomes increasingly cloudy b/c of protein clumping w/in lens fibers

physiology impact: b/c of protein clumping, light scattering occurs preventing a clear focal point on the retina

macular degeneration (vision loss)

anatomy impact: waste deposit builds under the macula lutea causing its tissue to bak down and thin out (dry AMD). wet AMD= abnormal blood vessels grown underneath and leak fluid or blood

physiology impact: a blind spot forms right in the center of your field of view, side/peripheral vision is normal

astigmatism (cornea curvature)

anatomy impact: the cornea or lens isn’t shaped like a smooth round sphere, its instead curved unevenly

physiology impact: the uneven curve makes light bend in multiple directions so objects look distorted at any distance

glaucoma (nerve damage)

anatomy impact: fluid inside the front of the eye doesn’t drain properly causing an increase in pressure which damages the optic nerve fibers

physiology impact: you start to lose your peripheral vision and it creates a tunnel vision effect

amblyopia (lazy eye)

anatomy impact: the eye is healthy but the optic nerve pathways connecting the eye to the brain fails to develop during childhood

physiology impact: the brain starts to ignore the other eye to prevent double vision which leads to reduced vision in the weaker eye.

retinal detachment

anatomy impact: a small tear allows fluid in the eye to slip behind the retina, peeling it away from the back wall of the eye

physiology impact: the light sensing cells in the retina stop working instantly and causes a dark shadow in your vision and can cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.

conjunctivitis (pink eye)

anatomy impact: infection of allergies cause the conjunctiva (the membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the eye) to get inflamed, making tiny blood vessels swell up and turn bright red or pink

physiology impact: the swelling leads to itchiness (like having sand stuck in your eye)

Myopia (nearsightedness)

anatomy impact: the cornea is curved too steeply

physiology impact: light entering the eye focuses at a point in front of the retina instead of directly on it. This causes objects closer to look sharp while distant objects are blurry.

Color Blindness (color distortion)

anatomy impact: photoreceptor cells (RGB) located in the retina become damaged or is missing

physiology impact: the brain can’t distinguish between certain colors

Retinoblastoma (eye cancer)

anatomy impact: a genetic mutation in the retina causes cells to multiply uncontrollably and forms a cancerous lump (tumor) in the back of the eye

physiology impact: light bounces off the pale tumor inside creating a distinct white glow in the pupil and can lead to vision loss