Glaucoma Management Flashcards
6 cards from real Board Certified Ophthalmologist practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Glaucoma Management flashcards as text
What is the main goal of glaucoma treatment?
Answer: Reduce intraocular pressure
Prostaglandin analogs, such as latanoprost, are frequently the initial medication choice for open-angle glaucoma. These eye drops work by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye, effectively reducing intraocular pressure. This mechanism helps to protect the optic nerve from damage.
Which class of medication is commonly used as a first-line therapy in open-angle glaucoma?
Answer: Prostaglandin analogs
A visual field test is an essential diagnostic tool for monitoring optic nerve damage in glaucoma. It assesses the patient's peripheral and central vision, detecting characteristic patterns of vision loss that indicate nerve damage. This test helps track the progression of the disease and guide treatment decisions.
Which test is primarily used to monitor optic nerve damage in glaucoma?
Answer: Visual field test
Beta-blockers, like timolol, are a class of medications used in glaucoma treatment. Their primary mechanism of action is to decrease the production of aqueous humor by the ciliary body. This reduction in fluid production effectively lowers intraocular pressure, helping to prevent optic nerve damage.
What is the mechanism of action of beta-blockers in glaucoma treatment?
Answer: Decrease aqueous humor production
Trabeculectomy is a surgical procedure performed when medications and laser treatments are insufficient to control intraocular pressure in glaucoma. It involves creating a new drainage pathway for aqueous humor, allowing it to filter out of the eye. This reduces pressure and helps prevent further optic nerve damage.
Which surgical procedure is commonly performed when medications fail to control IOP?
Answer: Trabeculectomy
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an ophthalmic emergency characterized by a sudden, sharp increase in intraocular pressure. The most common symptom is sudden, severe eye pain, often accompanied by headache, blurred vision, halos around lights, and nausea or vomiting. Immediate medical attention is crucial to prevent permanent vision loss.
Which symptom is most commonly associated with acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Answer: Sudden severe eye pain
Retinal detachment occurs when the retina separates from its underlying supportive tissue, leading to potential vision loss. Common initial symptoms include a sudden onset of flashes of light (photopsia) and new, numerous floaters, which may appear as specks or cobwebs in the visual field. These symptoms warrant immediate ophthalmological evaluation.