Unit 4: Eyes Assessment

Consensual reaction

A light is pointed at a clients pupil, which then contracts. It is also noted that the other pupil contracts as well, though it is not exposed to bright light. What is this called?

Bridge of the nose

A nurse assesses the parallel allignment of a clients eyes by testing the corneal light reflex. Where should the nurse shine the penlight to obtain an accurate reading?

Chalazion

A small sebaceous cyst of the eyelid resulting when a Meibomian gland is blocked

Cover test

A test that detects a small degree of deviated alignment by interrupting the fusion reflex that normally keeps the two eyes parallel. ask the person to stare straight ahead at your nose, place a card in front of one eye and note the uncovered eye. A normal response is a steady fixed gaze. if the uncovered eye jumps to reestablish fixation, eye muscle weakness exists

Macula

A yellowish central area of the retina that is rich in cones and that mediates clear detailed vision

Hyperopia

Abnormal condition in which vision for distant objects is better than for near objects (far sighted)

Corneal Light Reflex

Assess the parallel alignment of the eye axes by shining a light toward the person's eyes. direct the person to stare straight ahead as you hold the light about 12 inches away. note the reflection of the light on the corneas, it shoudl be in exactly the same spot on each eye

Neural Pathway

Bundle of nerve cells that follow generally the same route and employ the same neurotransmitter. Consists of the optic nerves, optic chiasm, and optic tracts that continues into the optic region of the cerebral cortex.

Anterior Chamber

Chamber (space) between the cornea

Vitreous Chamber

Chamber adjacent to the lens

Posterior Chamber

Chamber behind the iris/includes the lens.

Retinopathy

Disease of the retina, often caused by diabetes

Ptosis

Drooping of the upper eyelid caused by muscle paralysis and weakness

Newborns

Eyes do not focus at birth; can begin focusing at 3 months of age.

Glaucoma

Increased intraocular pressure results in damage to the retina and optic nerve with loss of vision

Retina

Innermost layer of the eye, which contains the vision receptors. Receives and transmits visual stimuli to the brain for processing.

Nystagmus

Involuntary, rapid movement of eyeball

Amblyopia

Lazy eye

Myopia

Nearsightedness; difficulty seeing distant objects when light rays are focused on a point in front of the retina

Cataract

Opaque clouding of the lens causing decreased vision. Caused by long term exposure to UV light, diabetes, radiation, and hypertension.

Jaeger test

Pocket screener for near vision deficit and should be read 14 in from face; used to test near vision

Macular degeneration

Progressive damage to the macula of the retina

Exophthalmos

Protrusion of the eyeball from the socket

Intraocular Structures

Sclera, conjunctiva, cornea, iris, pupil, red reflex, lens, pupil, anterior chamber, retina, vitreous body, vessels, optic disc, physiologic cup, macula, fovea centralis.

Extraocular Structures

Support and protect the eye. Made up of eyelids, palpabral fissure, limbus, conjuctiva, and lacramal apparatus.

Hirshbergs test

Test for extraocular muscle functions. Shine light at bridge of nose. normal=corneal light reflects symmetric. Abnormal(positive)= light reflects on center of right and medial on left.

Snellen Chart

The most commonly used and accurate measure of visual accuity. it contains lines of letters in decreasing size. have the person sand 20' away. the top number is always 20. The higher the bottom number, the worse the vision (ex 20/60)

Cardinal Positions of Gaze

The six points to which a patients eyes are directed to test extraocular muscle function; the positions are right and up, right, right and down, left and up,left, and left and down.

Arcus Senilis

Thin white ring (arc) along the margin of the iris. Abnormal in anyone under age 40.

III Oculomotor, IV Trochlear, VI Abducens

What cranial nerves innervate and control the motor activities of the eye? These muscles oppose eachother , much like muscles surrounding the joints of a skeleton.

Extraocular

Which muscles control the eye movement and hold the eye in place in the socket?

Presbyopia

impaired vision caused by old age or loss of accommodation

PERRLA

pupils equal, round, reactive to light and accommodation