Sensory system disease

Question 1

Entropion

Answer 1

Inversion of the upper or lower eyelid

Question 2

Ectropion

Answer 2

Eversion of the lower eyelid (away from the eyeball)

Question 3

Distichiasis

Answer 3

Extra row of eyelashes

Question 4

What clinical signs may be seen with eyelid conditions?

Answer 4

• Blepharospasm (excessive blinking)
• Increased lacrimation
• Ocular discharge
• Third eyelid protrusion

Question 5

What treatment and nursing care can be done for patients with eyelid conditions?

Answer 5

• Anti-inflammatory eyedrops
• Antibacterial eyedrops
• Surgical correction

Question 6

What are the possible causes of conjunctivitis?

Answer 6

• Bacterial infection
• Viral infection (herpes)
• Allergies (eg. pollen)
• Foreign body

Question 7

What diagnostics and clinical signs may be seen with conjunctivitis?

Answer 7

Diagnostics:

• Visual examination
• Corneoconjunctival culture (local anaesthetic on eye, take swab and send off for culture)

Clinical signs:

• Blepharospasm
• Increased lacrimation
• Oedema
• Conjunctival hyperaemia (red conjunctiva)
• Ocular discharge

Question 8

What nursing care and treatment is done for conjunctivitis?

Answer 8

Nursing care:

• Prevention of self-trauma and interference
• Bathe eyes to remove any discharge
• Apply medication as needed

Treatment:

• Antibiotic eyedrops
• Anti-inflammatory eyedrops
• Antiviral eyedrops
• Antihistamine eyedrops
• Surgical correction of eyelid deformities

Question 9

What is Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)?

Answer 9

Dry eye due to a reduction in aqueous tear production (A.K.A dry eye)

Question 10

What clinical signs may be present for KCS/dry eye?

Answer 10

• Vascularisation (creates blood vessels and move to eye, impairing vision)
• Ulceration
• Opacity of the cornea
• Recurrent conjunctivitis
• Mucoid or mucopurulent discharge on and around the surface of the eye

Question 11

What are the diagnostics, treatments and nursing care implications for KCS/dry eye?

Answer 11

Diagnostics:
-Schirmer tear test

Treatment & nursing care:

• Tear substitutes
• Antibiotic eyedrops if infected
• Anti-inflammatory eyedrops
• Good ocular hygiene

Question 12

What is the normal reading in a schemer tear test?

Answer 12

15-25mm/min

Question 13

What is a corneal ulceration?

Answer 13

• Wound/abrasion on the corneal surface

- Common condition which varies in severity

Question 14

What are the causes of corneal ulcerations?

Answer 14

• Eyelash/eyelid disorders
• Foreign body
• Trauma
• KCS/dry eye
• Infection
• Direct trauma (eg. hibiscrub)

Question 15

What clinical signs may be seen with corneal ulceration?

Answer 15

• Ocular pain
• Ocular discharge
• Blepharospasm
• Increased lacrimation

Question 16

What diagnostics can be done for corneal ulceration?

Answer 16

• Visual inspection

- Fluorescein dye

Question 17

What treatment and nursing care is done for corneal ulcerations?

Answer 17

• Antibiotic eyedrops
• EDTA serum drops
• Analgesia
• Bandage contact lenses
• Close monitoring
• Prevention of patient interference
• Careful medication regimes
• Surgical procedures

Question 18

What is Uveitis?

Answer 18

Inflammation of the iris

Question 19

What are some clinical signs seen with uveitis?

Answer 19

• Pain
• Blepharospasm
• Miotic (constriction) pupil
• Red eye
• Photophobia
• Lacrimation
• Reduced intraocular pressure

Question 20

What are the treatment and nursing care implications for uveitis?

Answer 20

• Treatment of underlying cause
• Topical atropine (dilates pupils)
• Topical corticosteroids or NSAIDs
• System corticosteroids or NSAIDs
• Constant monitoring allowing for evaluation
• Low lighting
• Careful medication regimes

Question 21

What is glaucoma?

Answer 21

An elevation in intraocular pressure due to inadequate drainage of aqueous humour within the globe

Question 22

What are the clinical signs of glaucoma?

Answer 22

• Painful red eye(s)
• Corneal oedema
• Swelling of globe
• Dilated pupil
• Retinal damage

Question 23

What diagnostics can be done for glaucoma?

Answer 23

• Examination

- Measuring intraocular pressure

Question 24

What treatment and nursing care can be done for glaucoma?

Answer 24

• Emergency medical treatment to reduce intraocular pressure
• Analgesia
• Specialist treatment
• Enucleation
• Prevention of self trauma
• Careful following of medication regimes
• Monitoring intraocular pressure

Question 25

What is tonometry and what are the normal values for dogs and cats?

Answer 25

- Evaluates force required to flatten the corneal surface - Measures intraocular pressure (IOP) - Dogs = 15-25 mmHg - Cats = 20-30 mmHg - High IOP = glaucoma - Low IOP = uveitis

Question 26

What is cataracts?

Answer 26

Clouding of the lens resulting in reduction/absence of vision

Question 27

What nursing care can be done for patients with cataracts/blindness?

Answer 27

- Don't change environment - Consistent routine - Safe friend - Corner protectors on sharp objects - Noise stimulation - Blind dog "halo"