Anatomy of the Eye

A visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, after correction, or a visual field of 20 degrees or less.

No light perception.

Tools and technologies that assist people with reduced vision in completing daily activities.

Strategies to manage the challenges of reduced vision.

Developing skills to understand and navigate one's surroundings.

Support and adaptations needed in daily life for people with reduced vision.

Connecting people with low vision to government assistance and disability benefits.

Important considerations for talking with and assisting someone with low vision.

A group of eye conditions causing optic nerve damage and increased pressure inside the eye.

A type of glaucoma where the drainage angle of the eye is open but fluid flow is still blocked.

A type of glaucoma where the drainage angle is blocked by the iris (colored part of the eye).

Factors that increase your chance of developing glaucoma include family history, race, age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, migraine, nearsightedness, eye injury, and long-term corticosteroid use.

Glaucoma can be triggered by events like illness, stress, narrow eye angles, long-term steroid use, and eye drops for dilation.

Changes in fluid flow and pressure lead to tissue and cell changes in the eye, ultimately damaging the optic nerve.

Glaucoma causes functional changes in the eye, like increased pressure and impaired blood flow, further damaging the nerve.

The main goal is to lower eye pressure to prevent further damage. This is achieved through medications, lasers, or surgery.

A serious condition where the optic nerve, responsible for transmitting visual information to the brain, deteriorates due to loss of nerve fibers and blood supply.

A loss or distortion of vision within a specific area of the visual field, indicating potential optic nerve damage.

A type of glaucoma characterized by a slow, gradual increase in intraocular pressure (IOP), leading to gradual vision loss. It's the most common form.

The most severe form of angle-closure glaucoma, characterized by rapid onset of severe eye pain, blurry vision, halos around lights, and red eyes. Requires immediate medical attention.

To maintain IOP within a safe range to prevent further damage to the optic nerve, often aiming for a 30% decrease in IOP.

A crucial part of managing glaucoma, involving the patient understanding the nature of the disease, medication regimen, potential side effects, and ongoing monitoring.

Although treatments can slow progression, glaucoma is not curable. Patients must adhere to lifelong therapeutic regimens.

Gently cleaning crusts or drainage from the eyelid margins, wiping from the inner to outer canthus with a fresh gauze pad or cotton ball moistened with warm water for each stroke.

Promotes patient comfort, absorption of medications, and removes debris from the nasolacrimal duct.

Read the medication label, shake suspensions, verify the correct eye for treatment.

Head in supine position or hyperextended in a 'sniffing' position for proper instillation.

Do not touch the tip of the container to the eye or face.

Hold the lower lid down, do not press on the eyeball, anchor the finger on the cheek bone.

Instill eye drops 1 inch from the eye, instruct the patient to look up and away, apply pressure on the inner canthus after instillation.

Apply a ½-inch ribbon to the lower conjunctival sac, ask the patient to roll their eyes behind closed lids after application.

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid. It's a common eye condition caused by various organisms.

A type of conjunctivitis caused by bacteria. It's often characterized by a thick, pus-like discharge and may cause redness and swelling.

Conjunctivitis caused by a virus. It's usually characterized by a watery discharge and may be accompanied by other symptoms like swollen lymph nodes.

Conjunctivitis triggered by an allergic reaction to things like pollen, dust mites, or animal dander. Symptoms include itching, redness, and watery eyes.

A type of bacterial conjunctivitis caused by Chlamydia trachomatis. It's a leading cause of blindness worldwide and can cause scarring of the eyelids and cornea.

A type of conjunctivitis caused by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria. It's a serious infection that can lead to blindness if left untreated.

A condition where eyelashes grow inward towards the conjunctiva or cornea, causing irritation and potential damage.

A common type of bacterial conjunctivitis that usually clears up within a few days with antibiotic treatment.

Ocular medications, like eye drops, are usually applied to the eye by tilting the head back, pulling down the lower eyelid to create a pouch, and then instilling the drops into the pouch. Afterward, the eye should be gently closed for a few seconds to allow the medication to spread evenly over the surface.

To ensure absorption and prevent potential interactions, a minimum of 5 minutes should be allowed between instilling different types of eye medications.

Mydriatics and Cycloplegics are types of ocular medications that dilate the pupil and paralyze the ciliary muscle, respectively. These medications are often used during eye exams to visualize the inner structures of the eye.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, preventing light from passing through clearly and causing blurry vision.

Symptoms of a cataract include distorted red reflexes, vision loss, and a white pupil.

Strabismus, also known as 'crossed eyes' or 'wall eyes', is a condition in which the eyes are misaligned, causing a misdirection of gaze.

The two main types of Strabismus are Esotropia (inward deviation of the eyes) and Exotropia (outward deviation of the eyes).

Individuals with Strabismus may have symptoms including squinting, frowning while reading, closing one eye to see, difficulty picking up objects, dizziness, and headaches.