vision problems

Assessment + Management of Visual Problems

  • Parts of the Eye:

    • Structures: Eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows, eyeball (globe), lens, sclera, iris, retina, vitreous humor, aqueous humor, lacrimal system.

  • Visual Pathway / Light Travel:

    • Sequence: Cornea → Aqueous humor → Lens → Optic nerve → Optic chiasm.

  • Recognizing Eye Infection:

    • Symptoms: Redness, swelling, pus, drainage, pain.

  • Teaching Eye Health:

    • Practices: Hand hygiene, yearly eye exams, protective eyewear, wearing sunglasses.

  • Glaucoma:

    • A group of disorders characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP).
    • Most common cause of blindness in Black and Hispanic populations.

  • Snellen Eye Chart:

    • Example: 20/30 vision means at 20 ft, seeing what a person with 20/20 can see at 30 ft.

  • Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD):

    • Retinal changes due to aging. More common in older adults.

  • Keratitis:

    • Inflammation or infection of the cornea.

  • Hordeolum (Sty):

    • Infection of the Meibomian glands at eyelid margins.

  • Blepharitis:

    • Chronic bilateral inflammation of the eyelid margins.

  • Cataracts:

    • Opacity within the lens affecting vision.

  • Strabismus:

    • Condition of inconsistent focusing of both eyes on the same object.

  • Conjunctivitis:

    • Infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva (types: Viral, Bacterial, Allergic, Chlamydial).

Vision Assessment Techniques

  • Tests:
    • Ishihara Color Test: Color vision assessment.
    • Snellen Chart: Visual acuity measurement.
    • Confrontation Field: Field of vision evaluation.
    • Tonometry: Measures intraocular pressure (IOP).
    • Ophthalmoscopy: Magnified view of retina + optic nerve.
    • Pupil Function Test: Assesses pupil response.

Vision Abnormalities

  • Myopia: Nearsightedness.
  • Hyperopia: Farsightedness.
  • Legal Blindness: Defined as 20/200 vision.
  • Normal IOP Range: 10-21 mm Hg.

Treatments for Glaucoma

  • Drug Classes:
    • A-adrenergic Agonists (e.g., Apraclonidine, Brimonidine).
    • B-adrenergic Blockers (e.g., Betaxolol, Carteolol, Levobunolol, Timolol).

Foods for Good Eye Health

  • Leafy greens (kale, spinach).
  • Fatty fish (salmon, tuna).
  • Eggs, citrus fruits, nuts.
  • Carrots and sweet potatoes.