SENSORY DISORDERS Conjunctivitis Commonly known as pink eye

SENSORY DISORDERS

Conjunctivitis Commonly known as pink eye Inflammation of conjunctival membranes in front of the eye Symptoms are redness, pain, swelling, and discharge Highly contagious Rx: antibiotic eye drops

Glaucoma Excessive intraoccular pressure causing destruction of the retina and atrophy of the optic nerve Caused by overproduction of aqueous humor, lack of drainage, or aging Symptoms develop gradually—mild aching, loss of peripheral vision, halos around light

Tonometer A Tonometer is an instrument use to measure intraocular tension or pressure. An increase in pressure often indicates glaucoma Treatments for glaucoma include drugs or laser surgery

Cataracts Lens of eyes gradually becomes cloudy Frequently occurs in people over 70 Causes a painful, gradual blurring and loss of vision Pupil turns from black to milky white Rx – surgical removal of the lens

Sty (Hordeolum) Abscess at the base of an eyelash ( in sebaceous gland) Symptoms – red, painful and swollen Rx – warm, wet compresses, antibiotic ointments and occasionally incision and drainage

Color-Blindess Ishihara color plates are used to test for color blindness. Cones affected Genetic disorder that is carried by female and transmitted to males

Presbyopia “Oldsightedness” Lens loses elasticity, cannot focus on close or distant objects Usually occurs after age 40 Rx - Bifocals

Hyperopia Farsighted Light focuses behind the retina because the eyeball is too short Objects must be moved farther away from the eye to be seen clearer Convex lenses help

Myopia Nearsighted Eyeball too long Light focuses in front of the retina (in normal eye light focuses on the retina) Concave lenses help Surgical Tx –– laser therapy used to reshape the anterior cornea of the eye.

Astigmatism Irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, causing blurred vision and eye strain Rx – corrective lenses

Strabismus (cross-eye) Eye muscles do not coordinate their actions If not corrected early, visual centers in the brain will learn to ignore information from one eye causing permanent blindness in affected eye Usually in children Rx – eye exercises or surgery

Diploplia Double-vision

Eye Injury Glass or fragment in eye – cover eye and seek medical help, do not remove the object

Diagnosis OPHTHALMOSCOPE – instrument for viewing inside the eye SNELLEN EYE CHART – chart that uses letters or symbols in calibrated heights to check for vision defects

DISORDERS OF THE EAR

Loud noise and hearing loss Hearing is fragile Loud noise over a period of time can cause hearing loss. (Deafness)

OTITIS MEDIA Infection of the middle ear Often a complication of a common cold in children Rx – antibiotics If chronic or if fluid builds up – MYRINGOTOMY (opening in the tympanic membrane) with tubes inserted will relieve the pressure

DISORDERS OF THE NOSE

RHINITIS Inflammation of the lining of the nose with nasal congestion, drainage, sneezing and itching Caused by allergies, infection, fumes, odors, emotion, or drugs Rx – eliminate causes, antihistamines