eyes

what is subconjunctival hemorrhage

small collection of blood that gets trapped between sclera and conjunctiva, usually no vision changes

causes of subconj. hemorrhage

violent coughing, sneezing, vomiting, straining, trauma, and contacts

risk factors of subconj. hemorrhage

50 and older, anticoags, antiplt, HTN, clotting disorders

when should you seek medical advice for subconj hemorrhage

if blood covers entire iris, significant trauma, last longer than 2 weeks, vision changes

what is conjunctivitis

inflammation of the conjunctiva that pops blood vessels

s/sx of conjunctivitis

redness, gritty feeling, watery, yellow/white/green discharge, itchiness, swelling

causes of viral conjunctivitis

most common, linked to colds, discharge is watery and last a few weeks

causes of bacterial conjunctivitis

s. aureus and strep pneumonia, highly contagious, thick discharge

trmt of bacterial conjunctivitis

Abx eye drops or ointment, no contacts

what are cataracts

clouding of the lens in the eye that leads to vision loss, progressive and painless, common in older adults

causes of cataracts

trauma, DM, prolonges steroid use, smoking, excessive sun, fam hx

s/s of cataracts

gradual vision loss, blurry, hazy, dim vision, sensitivity to glare, faded colors and double vision

dx for cataracts

visual acuity testing

early stage of cataracts management

brighten lights, magnifying lenses, sunglasses

surgical tx of cataracts

phacoemulsification

post op trmt of cataracts

eye protection, avoid increased IOP, abx, anti-inflammatory eye drops

s/s of rental detachment after cataract surgery

severe on, vision loss, light flashes, floaters

what is primary glaucoma

most common, gradual blockage of aqueous humor drainage, slow and bilateral block of peripheral vision

closed angle glaucoma

sudden blockage, v bad, eye pn, HA, halo, N/V, blurred vision, red eye

risk factors for glaucoma

over 60, fam hx, AA, hispanic, asian, diabetes, HTN, long term steroids

dx for cataracts

tonometry, visual field testing, optic nerve exam

tonometry normal levels

10-20, over 21 is glaucoma

tx for cataracts

bb to decrease aqueous humor production, prostaglandin analogs to increase outflow

cataracts education

med compliance for life, avoid increased IOP, regular eye exams

what is macular degeneration

degenerative disease of the macula, loss of central vision, leading cause of blindness in adults over 60

dry macular degeneration

most common, has no exudate, gradual thinning of macular and causes slow progressive central vision loss

wet macular degeneration

blood vessels grow under retina and leak fluid or blood, can cause severe central vision loss, scarring, or blindness

r/f for MD

over 60, white, smoking, HTN, HLD, obesity

s/s of macular degeneration

loss of central vision, blurred or dark sports, straight lines that appear wavy

dx for macular degeneration

visual acuity test, fundus exam, optic coherence tomography

dry MD trmt

no cure but can be slowed, Vit c/e, zinc, copper, healthy diet, leafys, fruit, fish, quit smoking

wet MD trmt

vascular endothelial growth factor injections

education for MD

big print, audio, stop smoking, nutritional teaching, med compliance, fall prevention