eyes and ears

rods

• vision in low light conditions

• highly sensitive to light

• predominantly located in the peripheral retina

cones

• color vision and vision in bright light

• less sensitive to light

• predominantly located in the central retina

visual acuity

• measure of vision

physical assessment of eyes

acuity, test one eye at a time

peripheral vision, confrontation test - eyeball

positioning symmetry - lids, lashes, tear ducts

PERRLA, corneal light reflex

ectropion vs entropian

ectro: eyelid turns outward, exposing inner eyelid

entro: eyelid turns inward, causing irritation

blepharitis

• inflammation of eyelid that cause them to become red, irritated and itchy. with dandruff-like scales may form on the eyelashes

conjunctivitis viral vs bacterial

viral: redness, irritation, contagious by direct contact with your tears. avoid sharing towels and minimise contact

bacterial: redness, swelling, gunky sticky yellow discharge

outer ears

collects sound waves and directs them into the ear canal. lined with wax, that lubricates the tissue, fights infection, and removes dead skin

middle ear

contain eardrum and three tiny bones called malleus, incus, and stapes. they amplify sound vibrations and pass them to the inner ear. eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the throat and regulates air pressure

inner ear

contains cochlea, organ of hearing, and the vestibular system, which helps maintain balance. cochlea is filled with fluid that moves in response to vibrations from the oval window. helps to detect head movements

ear infections

• common illness in children

• symptoms: pain, pressure, fullness, difficulty hearing, and fever

• caused by bacteria or viruses, and often clear up within three days

tinnitus

roaring in ears that can be caused by loud noises

meniere’s disease

a disorder that affects the inner ear, causing vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss. caused by fluid problems in the inner ear and affects people differently

ear barotrauma

injury to ear caused by changes in air or water pressure

eardrum damage

brust or torn eardrum can be caused by a severe ear infection, foreign object, head trauma, or loud noise

ears assessment

outer ear structure, press tragus

middle ear, cerumen

positioning, symmetry, size

weber, rhinne, hearing tests

otoscopic exam

• pick biggest speculum

• pull ear up and back for pinna

• 1-2 cm insertions

• look for ear canal, cerumen, tympanic membrane, cone of light

top causes for hearing loss

• aging

• noise exposure

• medical conditions, infections, injuries

• medication side effects

refractive errors

vision problem due to lens shape or eye length

glaucoma

increased eye pressure, can lead to vision loss