Clerkship Manual 2021-22
Clerkship Manual 2021-22
Clerkship Manual 2021-22
CLERKSHIP
OPHTHALMOLOGY MANUAL
2021-2022
A student’s guide to:
Introducing clinical rotations & clerkship
Outcomes & Objectives
Competencies : Communication skills, Clinical examination
skills, Critical thinking, Problem solving, Clinical reasoning and
decision making skills
Page No.
PREAMBLE
SECTION I:
Ophthalmology competencies I – VII
I-
SECTION II:
Introduction to 3rd year Clinical Rotations 1
Clinical Scenarios for 3rd year Clinical Rotations 3
SECTION III: 46
Introduction to Ophthalmology Clerkship 47
Ophthalmology Objectives 48
Guide to course content 63
SECTION IV:
Ophthalmology Clinical Skills 98
Check Lists For Clinical Skills 152
APPENDIX I 163
i
PREAMBLE
The eyes are the window to the world. Vision is one of the vital factors influencing quality
of life. The ICO resolution demanded worldwide Medical Schools to launch ophthalmic
education program as part of their core curriculum, and not as an elective as offered by
some medical schools. This curricular reform aims at transforming from content based
curriculum to competency based curriculum in ophthalmology clerkship
MISSION STATEMENT
“To develop essential competencies in medical graduates so they can provide primary
eye care in line with best applicable evidence”.
ii
SECTION I
OPHTHALMOLOGY
COMPETENCIES
0
OPHTHALMOLOGY COMPETENCIES FOR MBBS STUDENTS- SHIFA COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Communication Take history of a patient with gradual painless Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills loss of vision Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
(History taking (cataract, open angle glaucoma, refractive Role playing Faculty feedback
skill) errors, Diabetic Retinopathy, ARMD, Evidence from portfolio
Amblyopia, Retinoblastoma, Retinitis
Pigmentosa, Vit A deficiency)
Clinical Perform Bedside teaching OSCE,
1 By the end of examination skills 1. Visual acuity, Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
ophthalmology 2. Torch examination Role playing Portfolios with reflective
clerkship, the 3. Fundoscopy Patient simulation notes
students will be 4. Digital Tonometry Videos Self & peer assessment of
able to 5. Confrontation Visual Fields & the skill
Identify : Clinical signs of a patient with Evidence from portfolio
gradual painless loss of vision
Manage a Critical thinking/ List a differential diagnosis on the basis of Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
patient with Problem solving history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
gradual painless Case presentation
decreased Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for CBD, SGD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
vision disease exposure Evidence from portfolio
Case presentation
Clinical decision Suggest appropriate treatment for a patient PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research with gradual painless loss of vision exposure Case write up,
skills Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
and its management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure MiniCEX, OSCE
(Counselling skill) attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
I
Sr Outcome Competency Objective Teaching strategy Assessment tool
#
Communication Take history of a patient with sudden painless Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills (History loss of vision Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
taking skill) (Retinal detachment, Optic Neuritis, Retinal Role playing Faculty feedback
Vascular occlusions, Vitreous Hemorrhage) Evidence from portfolio
Clinical Perform Bedside teaching OSCE,
examination skills 1. Visual acuity, Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
2. Torch examination Role playing Portfolios with reflective
3. Pupillary Reflexes Patient simulation notes
2 By the end of 4. Visual field examination Videos Self & peer assessment of
ophthalmology 5. Fundoscopy the skill
clerkship, the 6. Digital Tonometry & Evidence from portfolio
students will be Identify : clinical signs of a patient with
able to sudden painless loss of vision
Critical thinking List a differential diagnosis on the basis of Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
Manage a Problem solving history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
patient with Case presentation
sudden Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for Retinal CBD, SGD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
painless detachment, Retinal Vascular occlusion, exposure Evidence from portfolio
decreased Vitreous hemorrhage and Optic Neuritis Case presentation
vision Clinical decision Suggest emergency treatment and PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research appropriate referral for a patient with sudden exposure Case write up,
skills painless loss of vision Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
and its management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure Mini-CEX, OSCE
(counselling skills) attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
II
Sr Outcome Competency Objective Teaching strategy Assessment tool
#
Communication Take history of a patient with red eye with Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills (History decreased vision Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
taking skill) (Ac. Angle closure, Anterior uveitis, Keratitis, Role playing Faculty feedback
dry eyes) and without decreased vision Evidence from portfolio
(Conjunctivitis, episcleritis, scleritis, blepharitis
etc.)
3 By the end of Clinical Perform Bedside teaching OSCE,
ophthalmology examination skills 1. Visual acuity, Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
clerkship, the 2. Torch examination Role playing Portfolios with reflective
students will be 3. Corneal staining Patient simulation notes
able to 4. Digital tonometry Videos Self & peer assessment of
5. Pupillary examination the skill
Manage a Identify: Clinical signs of red eye Evidence from portfolio
patient with red Critical thinking Generate a differential diagnosis on the basis Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
eye Problem solving of history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
Case presentation
Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for disease CBD, SGD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
exposure Evidence from portfolio
Case presentation
Clinical decision Suggest treatment for a patient with red eye PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research exposure Case write up,
skills Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease and Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
its management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure Mini-CEX, OSCE
attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
III
Sr Outcome Competency Objective Teaching Assessment tool
# strategy
Communication Take history of a patient with adnexal swelling Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills (History (Stye/ Preseptal cellulitis, chalazion, Tumors) Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
taking skill) (Nasolacrimal passage obstruction ) Role playing Faculty feedback
(Conjunctival growths, Pterygium etc.) Evidence from portfolio
(Orbit: Cellulitis, Thyroid eye disease,
Retinoblastoma)
4 By the end of Clinical Perform Bedside teaching OSCE,
ophthalmology examination skills 1. Visual acuity, Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
clerkship, the 2. Torch examination Role playing Portfolios with reflective
students will be 3. Extra ocular movements Patient simulation notes
able to 4. Pupillary examination Videos Self & peer assessment of
5. Regurgitation Test the skill
Identify: clinical signs of a patient with adnexal Evidence from portfolio
Manage a swelling
patient with Critical thinking Generate a differential diagnosis on the basis of Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
ocular growths/ Problem solving history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
ocular adnexa Case presentation
swelling Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for disease CBD, SGD, MCQS SAQ Quiz
Clinical exposure Evidence from portfolio
Case presentation
Clinical decision Suggest treatment for a patient with adnexal PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research swelling exposure Case write up,
skills Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease and its Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure Mini-CEX, OSCE
attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
IV
Sr Outcome Competency Objective Teaching Assessment tool
# strategy
Communication Take history of a patient with lid malposition Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills (History ( Entropion, Ectropion, Ptosis) Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
taking skill) Role playing Faculty feedback
Evidence from portfolio
Clinical Perform Bedside teaching OSCE,
examination skills 1. Torch examination Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
2. Ptosis measurements Role playing Portfolios with reflective
5 By the end of 3. Pupillary examination Patient simulation notes
ophthalmology Identify: clinical signs of a patient with lid Videos Self & peer assessment of
clerkship, the malposition the skill
students will be Evidence from portfolio
able to Critical thinking Generate a differential diagnosis on the basis of Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
Problem solving history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
Case presentation
Manage a Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for disease CBD, SGD, MCQS SAQ Quiz
patient with lid Clinical exposure Evidence from portfolio
malposition Case presentation
Clinical decision Suggest treatment for a patient with lid PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research malposition exposure Case write up,
skills Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease and its Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure Mini-CEX, OSCE
attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
V
Sr Outcome Competency Objective Teaching strategy Assessment tool
#
Communication Take history of a patient with deviation of Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills (History eyes: Comitant squints, In-comitant squints Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
taking skill) i.e. Neurological and restrictive Role playing Faculty feedback
(eso deviation, exo deviations, vertical Evidence from portfolio
deviations)
Clinical Perform an eye examination Bedside teaching OSCE,
examination skills 1. Extra ocular movements Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
6 By the end of 2. Hirschberg test Role playing Portfolios with reflective
ophthalmology 3. Cover Patient simulation notes
clerkship, the 4. Uncover test and Videos Self & peer assessment of
students will be Identify: clinical signs of a patient with the skill
able to deviation of eyes Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Generate a differential diagnosis on the basis Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
Problem solving of history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
Manage a Case presentation
patient with Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for CBD, SGD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
deviation of disease exposure Evidence from portfolio
eyes Case presentation
Clinical decision Suggest treatment for a patient with PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research deviation of eyes exposure Case write up,
skills Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
and its management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure Mini-CEX, OSCE
attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
VI
Sr Outcome Competency Objective Teaching strategy Assessment tool
#
Communication Take history of a patient with ocular, orbital or Clinical exposure OSCE,
skills (History adnexal trauma, chemical injury. Bedside teaching Mini-CEX ,
taking skill) Role playing Faculty feedback
Evidence from portfolio
Clinical Perform relevant examination and identify Bedside teaching OSCE,
examination skills clinical signs of a patient with ocular, orbital Clinical exposure Mini-CEX ,
7 By the end of or adnexal trauma Role playing Portfolios with reflective
ophthalmology Patient simulation notes
clerkship, the Performs eye wash in chemical injury Videos Self & peer assessment of
students will be the skill
able to Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Generate a differential diagnosis on the basis Discussion group MCQS SAQ Quiz
Problem solving of history and examination CBD, PBL Evidence from portfolio
Manage a Case presentation
patient with Clinical reasoning Propose a mechanism responsible for CBD, SGD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
ocular, orbital disease exposure Evidence from portfolio
or adnexal Case presentation
trauma Clinical decision Suggest treatment for a patient with ocular, PBL, CBD, Clinical MCQS SAQ Quiz
making/ research orbital or adnexal trauma exposure Case write up,
skills Evidence from portfolio
Critical thinking Identify potential complications of disease Pre-reading MCQS SAQ
and its management SGD Pretest/post-test/ Quiz
Communication Describes the impact of disease on individual, Role modeling, Faculty observation
skills family and society and demonstrate empathic Clinical exposure Mini-CEX, OSCE
attitude towards patient Patient feedback
Evidence from portfolio
VII
SECTION Il
Introduction to 3rd year Clinical
Rotations
Clinical Scenarios for 3rd year
Clinical Rotations
1
INTRODUCTION TO 3RD YEAR CLINICAL ROTATIONS
ATTENDENCE
The clinical rotation starts at 8 am. Attendance will be taken separately for both activities
(Case based learning and clinical skills session). You will be marked present for the day
ONLY if you attend all the activities scheduled for that day.
ROTATION ACTIVITIES
Students will have 8 weeks (2 hrs. / week) ophthalmology clinical rotations. These
rotations are scheduled on every Wednesday morning. The schedule is displayed on 3rd
year notice board and also emailed to the students.
Due to COVID 19 pandemic, Case based discussions are shifted to online sessions.
A brief outline of daily activities is given below:
Four major themes and six clinical skills are introduced in 3rd year ophthalmology
rotations. Their details are mentioned below. Clinical scenarios for each theme are given
in following section.
Clinics are the mainstay of learning. See as many patients as possible and discuss them
with your preceptor for the day or any available member of the faculty.
Students may also be given various assignments e.g. power point presentations, group
activities etc. during the rotation.
REFLECTIVE WRITING
At the end of clinical rotation you would be asked to give a reflection regarding your
learning in third year. This aims at identification of the learning gaps by the student and
devising a future action plan for improved learning. You can refer to “Gibbs reflective
cycle” for this.
CLINICAL PORTFOLIO
It is student’s responsibility to maintain the portfolio. The clinical portfolio will serve as a
collection point for all your activities during the rotation.
ASSESSMENT
The end of rotation exam will be conducted after 8 weeks. It is designed as a tool, for
yourself and your perceptors, to gauge your performance. The assessment will help you
judge the level of competence that you have achieved and if it meets the minimal set
criteria.
2
The breakdown of assessment tools with their weightage is provided in your portfolio.
OPHTHALMIC SKILLS
- History Taking
- Visual Acuity: Distance & Near Acuity
- Torch Examination
- Ophthalmoscopy
- Digital Tonometry
- Pupil Examination
- Confrontation Visual Field Examination
3
CATARACT
Presenting Complaint: A 60 year-old man presented in OPD with gradual painless decreased
vision in right eye for past 3 years.
History of Present Illness: There was gradual worsening of vision over past few years. His vision
improved with glasses initially, but now there is no improvement with glasses. He consulted a
local doctor who told him that crystalline lens in right eye has opacified a phenomenon called
cataract.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
Visual Acuity (best corrected) 6/60 with -5.00 DS 6/9 with -2.00 DS
4
Slit Lamp Examination findings:
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
1. What is anatomical composition of human crystalline lens? How does the lens contribute to the vision
and maintains its transparency?
5
MYOPIA
Presenting Complaint: A 9 year old school student has been referred to eye clinic by school
physician because she can’t read white board while sitting in last row.
History of Present Illness: Vision becomes better when she comes closer to the white board. No
difficulty in reading or writing from book.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
6
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
7
HYPERMETROPIA
Presenting Complaint: A five year old child was brought by his mother with the complaint of
inability to see television from a distant place.
History of Present Illness: Mother of a five year old child has noted her child sits very close to television
screen while watching cartoons. He also complaints of eye strains and headaches on prolonged near work.
Past Ocular History: The child was prescribed convex glasses on his previous visit.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
8
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
9
ASTIGMATISM
Presenting Complaint: A 25 year old man has noticed blurry vision both for far and near and eye
strain.
History of Present Illness: He experiences eye strain and headache when he tries to focus on
something. These symptoms increase on reading and writing. The text seems to be tilted and letters
seem to be running after each other.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
10
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
11
PRESBYOPIA:
Presenting complaint: A 50 years old male complains of difficulty in reading small fonts. He
never used glasses before.
History of Present Illness: The patient has difficulty in reading the newspaper. The text becomes
legible when he moves the paper away from his eyes.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
Near Vision N 10 N 10
12
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
13
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Presenting Complaint: A 50 years old diabetic female presented with gradual painless decrease
in vision in her left eye.
History of Present Illness: The patient’s vision is getting gradually worse over last 3 years, with
no improvement with glasses.
Past Medical History: Diabetic for the past 15 years. Hypertensive and hyperlipidemia for last
5 years.
Medications: She has been advised Tab Metformin, Lisinopril and Simvastatin. Non-compliant
with treatment.
Ocular Exam
14
Right eye Left eye
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
15
AGE RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (ARMD):
Presenting Complaint: A 70 years old male has noted that he is having difficulty in reading
newspaper and margins of the objects appear curvy.
History of Present Illness: He has been using glasses for near but his symptoms have aggravated.
His peripheral vision is intact.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
16
(IOP) mmHg
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
17
RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA:
Presenting Complaint: A 15 years old student comes to you with the complaint that he finds it
difficult to see in the dark.
History of Present Illness: He has good vision in light. He never had pain in his eyes.
Past Family Ocular History: His father has similar complaints since his teenage.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Examination:
18
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
2. What is its inheritance pattern and how does it affect night vision?
19
PRIMARY OPEN ANGLE GLAUCOMA (POAG)
Presenting Complaint: A 65 years old university teacher has noticed gradual painless decrease
in vision in his left eye.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
20
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
21
ACUTE CONGESTIVE GLAUCOMA (ACG)
History of Present Illness: The pain started 12 hours ago and has become progressively worse.
It is associated with nausea and vomiting, headache, markedly reduced & blurred vision and seeing
haloes around lights. She also had a similar episode in her right eye 6 months back for which she
took treatment from some local clinic. Details of that treatment are not available.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
22
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
1. What are the risk factors of angle closure in acute congestive glaucoma?
23
ACUTE ANTERIOR UVEITIS
Presenting Complaint: A 37-year-old female patient presented with pain, red eye and blurred
vision for last 3 days.
History of Present Illness: The pain started 3 days ago which gradually increased in intensity.
There is no history of any trauma or infection. There is no associated headache or nausea &
vomiting.
Past Ocular History: She has history of such episodes alternating between both eyes. Her problem
responds to topical steroids.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
24
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
25
VIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS
Presenting Complaint: A 10 year old boy presented in OPD with history of watering and redness
in his eyes for last 4 days. The problem involved right eye first and later involved the left eye also.
History of Present Illness: There is mild lid tenderness in both eyes. The discharge is clear and
watery. He is also having sore throat and low grade fever.
Past Family Ocular History: His father had similar ocular complaints a week ago.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular exam:
26
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
3. What are the general measures to maintain ocular hygiene and avoid spread of infection?
27
BACTERIAL CONJUNCTIVITIS / OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM
Presenting Complaint: A 10 days old neonate is brought in OPD with sticky discharge and
matting of lashes for 2 days.
History of Present Illness: The discharge started 2 days ago. It is mucopurulent and there is
history of matting of eyelashes. It is difficult to open the eyelids in the morning. The child was
delivered at home through SVD.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam:
28
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
1. What are the causative pathogens of Ophthalmia neonatorum and bacterial conjunctivitis?
29
VIRAL KERATITIS
Presenting Complaint: A 55 years old male presented in OPD with decreased vision, pain and
watering of his right eye since 4 days.
History of Present Illness: The pain started 4 days ago. It was of moderate intensity. There is
clear watery discharge. No history of matting of lashes.
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
Congestion
Conjunctiva Normal
Clear watery discharge
Dendritic ulcer
Cornea Clear
Fluorescein stain positive
30
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
3. What is the treatment of viral keratitis and what is the role of topical steroids in herpetic
keratitis?
31
BACTERIAL KERATITIS
Presenting Complaint: A 35 year old contact lens user comes to you with ocular pain and
decreased vision since one day.
History of Present Illness: The patient experienced pain in the eye one day back. It started few
hours after she had a finger nail injury to cornea, while removing her contact lens. Pain is severe
in intensity associated with photophobia. There is also associated redness and watery discharge.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
32
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
1. What are the risk factors of bacterial keratitis? Which organisms are most commonly involved?
2. What is the treatment of bacterial keratitis and what is the role of topical steroids in this case?
33
PTERYGIUM
Presenting Complaint: A 45 years old farmer presented in OPD with the complaints of irritation,
watering and decreased vision from his left eye.
History of Present Illness: The symptoms started one year ago for which he took some treatment
from local doctors with temporary relief. The symptoms kept on increasing with time. Initially his
vision was not affected but for last 2 months he has also developed complaints of blurry vision.
Ocular Medications: Some eye drops from local pharmacy. Details are not available.
Ocular Exam
Round , regular ,
Pupil Round , regular , reactive
reactive
34
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
35
STYE
Presenting Complaint: A young patient presents to ophthalmology OPD with pain and swelling
in right upper eyelid for last 2 days.
History of Present Illness: The pain is associated with swelling at the lid margin.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
Swollen, Tender
Lids Normal
Pus Point At The Base Of Eyelashes
36
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
37
CHALAZION
Presenting Complaint: An 18 years old girl presented with painless swelling in her right eyelid
for past 2 weeks.
History of Present Illness: The swelling is away from the lid margin. It is gradually increasing in
size. It is not associated with pain or tenderness. The overlying skin is mobile and no signs of
inflammation are present.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
Non-Tender
Lids Normal
Swelling Away From The Lid Margin
38
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
39
ORBITAL CELLULITIS
Presenting Complaint: A 22 years old female presents to emergency with high grade fever, right
sided ocular pain and swelling for last 3 days.
History of Present Illness: The patient developed swelling and pain of her right eye 3 days back
which has gradually increased in severity. She is not able to open her right eye and attempt to move the
eyeball triggers pain.
Ocular Exam
VISUAL
6/60 6/6
ACUITY
Congested, Chemosed
Conjunctiva Normal
Prolapsed From Palpebral Aperture
Anterior
Formed And Quiet Formed And Quiet
chamber
40
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
41
CHEMICAL INJURY TO THE EYE
Presenting Complaint: A 45 years old fabric factory worker came to you with severe pain and
burning in eyes since half an hour.
History of Present Illness: There is history of instillation of some chemical in his eyes, he brought
the bottle with him.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
42
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
43
PENETRATING INJURY TO THE EYE
Patient History: A young laborer is brought to emergency with ocular pain and intense watering
since one hour.
History of Present Illness: He was working with chisel and hammer when something struck his
eye.
Medications: None
Allergies: None
Ocular Exam
Corneal laceration
Cornea Clear
Iris prolapse from the wound
Anterior Shallow
Formed and quiet
chamber Hyphema
44
The clinical picture and CT is shown below.
CRITICAL QUESTIONS:
2. Which investigations are helpful if you suspect Intra-ocular foreign body (IOFB) in a patient
with penetrating trauma?
45
SECTION III
Introduction to Ophthalmology Clerkship
Ophthalmology Objectives
Guide to course content
46
INTRODUCTION TO OPHTHALMOLOGY CLERKSHIP
ATTENDENCE
The clerkship starts at 8 am. Attendance will be taken separately for all (activities) time
slots. You will be marked present for the day ONLY if you attend all the activities
scheduled for that day.
CLERKSHIP ACTIVITIES
The clerkship program runs for 4 weeks. The schedule is posted on the department’s
notice board and also emailed to the students. A brief outline of daily activities is given
below:
MINI CEX
During week 3, you will be required to take your Mini-CEX. This exercise is designed to
help you gauge your progress. Use this tool to work on areas that need improvement.
Please refer to ‘Mini-CEX form’ in your portfolios for more on the Mini-CEX assessment.
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
Clerkship students are expected to stay in clinics during rotation timings. Clerkship
rotation focuses on clinical interaction with patients. See as many patients as possible
and discuss them with your designated perceptors or any member of the faculty.
Management plans will incorporate best applicable evidence. Students will be
encouraged to formulate management plans keeping in mind the current best practices
and evidence that can be locally applied and learn to tailor them to suit patient’s beliefs
and social standings OT rotations are designed to familiarize you with ocular surgical
techniques.
CLINICAL PORTFOLIO
It is student’s responsibility to maintain the portfolio. The clinical portfolio will serve as a
collection point for all your activities during the Clerkship. The portfolio will include your
attendance and performance evidence.
47
ASSESSMENT
The end of rotation assessment is designed as a tool, for yourself and your perceptors,
to gauge your performance. The assessment will help you judge the level of competence
that you have achieved and if it meets the minimal set criteria.
The breakdown of assessment tools with their weightage is provided in your portfolio.
CONTACTS
SFCHC Eye clinic: 3766
Dr Sulman Jaffar: 3392, 13434
Dr Ayisha Kausar: 3775, 15858
Dr Imran Janjua: 3766
D Aila Asif, Dr Waqas Saeed, Dr Salman Tariq 3766
48
BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE:
The students are expected to recall basic eye structure, function& examination. This
includes but not restricted to
1. Gross structure & function of the 3 layers of the eyeball& the bony orbit
2. The structure & function of the focusing system of the eye with emphasis
on image formation and its aberrations (acuity, color vision)
49
FAMILIARITY WITH COMMON DIAGNOSTIC & INVESTIGATIONS:
Through the course of the clerkship the students will gain familiarity with the following:
3. A-Scan Ultrasonography
4. B-Scan Ultrasonography
6. Corneal Topography
50
INTRODUCTION TO OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES:
1. Create a differential for gradual, painless loss of vision for this patient
a. Cataracts
b. Glaucoma (Open Angle)
c. Diabetic retinopathy
d. Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
e. Refractive errors
f. Retinitis Pigmentosa (night blindness/ strong family hx)
g. Retinoblastoma (Only in Children < 2 years age)
h. Vit A. Deficiency (Also causes dry eyes/ Skin)
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity
b. Torch examination
c. Confrontation visual fields
d. Distant & direct ophthalmoscopy
e. Digital tonometery
52
THEME 2: A PATIENT WITH SUDDEN PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
OBJECTIVES:
1. Create a differential for sudden, painless loss of vision for this patient
a. Retinal detachment
b. Retinal artery occlusion
c. Retinal vein occlusion
d. Optic neuritis
e. Vitreous hemorrhage
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity , Projection of light
b. Torch examination
c. Confrontation visual fields
d. Pupillary examination
e. Distant & direct ophthalmoscopy
f. Digital Tonometry
53
5. Identify Potential complications of disease & its management
a. Retinal detachment: Glaucoma, permanent loss of vision & field
b. Retinal artery occlusion: Loss of vision & filed other eye, neo-vascularization.
Manage fellow eye
c. Retinal vein occlusion: Loss of vision & field other eye, neo-vascularization.
Laser treatment. Manage fellow eye.
d. Optic neuritis: Association with Multiple sclerosis.
e. Vitreous hemorrhage: association with systemic diseases or vascular
occlusion, can cause tractional retinal detachment.
54
THEME 3: A PATIENT WITH A RED EYE
OBJECTIVES:
1. Create a differential for a patient with a red eye, consider associated visual loss/ not!!
a. Keratitis (Infectious, Non-Infectious)
b. Anterior uveitis
c. Acute angle closure
d. Conjunctivitis (Infectious, non-infectious esp. allergic (immune mediated))
e. Dry eye
f. Pterygium
g. Episcleritis, Scleritis
h. Ec- & En-tropion
i. Orbital Cellulitis
j. Steven Johnson syndrome
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity
b. Torch examination
c. Corneal sensations
d. Corneal staining
e. Pupillary examination
f. Digital tonometery
g. Optic nerve function (VA, Color vision)
55
Common: Counseling
Specific:
a. Keratitis: Investigate. Antibiotics, Agent directed chemotherapy/ immune
suppression, cycloplegics. Keratoplasty (key concepts only)
b. Anterior uveitis: Investigate. Immune reaction (HLA associated: Immune
suppression, cycloplegics.
c. Acute angle closure: Acute pressure reduction, prophylactic treatment other
eye. Investigate for cause
d. Conjunctivitis: Investigate, chemotherapy/ immune
suppression
e. Dry eye: Investigate. Lubricants, Immune suppression, lid hygiene, antibiotics,
bandage contact lens.
f. Pterygium: Prevention. Surgery
g. Episcleritis & Scleritis: NSAIDs, lubricants, Immune suppressants
h. Ec- & En- tropion: Epilation. Surgical correction (key
concepts only)
i. Orbital Cellulitis: I/V antibiotics/ Immune status monitoring
56
THEME 4: A PATIENT WITH AN OCULAR GROWTHS/ OCULAR /
ADNEXA SWELLING
OBJECTIVES:
1A. Create a differential for a swelling on basis of history and examination.
Ocular Adenexa Conjunctival Growths Proptosis
a. Chalazion a. Pterygium, a. Orbit: Cellulitis
b. Stye b. Pingecula, b. Thyroid eye disease
c. Acute/ chronic dacryocystitis c. Conjunctival nevus, c. Orbital / Ocular Tumors
d. Tumors: Basal cell, Squamous d. Conjunctival tumors. - Retinoblastoma (Infants)/
cell Melanoma (elderly)
- Rhabdomyosarcoma (U/L;
Children only)
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity
b. Torch examination
c. Extra ocular Movements
d. Pupillary reflexes
e. Regurgitation test
f. Digital Tonometry
g Direct & Distant ophthalmoscopy
h. Examination of a swelling
57
4. Design a management plan
Common: Counseling
Specific:
a. Chalazion: Warm compresses, Intra-lesional steroid, Incision & curettage.
b. Stye: Antibiotics, Analgesics.
c. Acute Dacryocystitis: Antibiotics, analgesics, Dacryo-cysto-rhinostomy.
d. Tumors: Surgical excision with biopsy (frozen section). Reconstruction (key
concepts only).
e. Pre-septal Cellulitis: gram positive antibiotics, anti-inflammatory.
Investigations for Proptosis: Orbit Imaging, Ocular Ultrasound.
f.Thyroid Eye Disease: Medical/ Endo referral, Orbital decompression.
Immunosuppression (threat to vision)
g.Rhabdomyosarcoma: Biopsy, Excision, Radio or Chemo therapy for advanced
tumors
h. Orbital tumors: Slow growing. Surgery/ Monitor
i. Retinoblastoma/ Melanoma: Chemotherapy, Enucleation, Implants for cosmetic
improvement.
j. Orbital-Cellulitis: dual I/V antibiotic therapy, Orbital decompression to reduce
mass effect.
58
THEME 5: A PATIENT WITH LID MALPOSITION
OBJECTIVES:
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity
b. Torch examination
c. Extra-ocular movements
d. Ptosis measurement
59
THEME 6: A PATIENT WITH DEVIATION OF EYES
OBJECTIVES:
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity
b. Torch examination
c. Extra-ocular movements
d. Corneal reflection test
e. Cover- & Uncover- tests
f. Ophthalmoscopy
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THEME 7: A PATIENT WITH OCULAR, ORBITAL & ADENEXAL
TRAUMA
OBJECTIVES:
2. Perform an eye examination and Identify clinical signs focusing on parameters that
help in narrowing down the differential diagnosis
a. Visual acuity
b. Torch examination
c. Extra-ocular movements
d. Pupillary reflexes
e. Eye wash in case of chemical injury
f. Ophthalmoscopy
3. Propose a mechanism for responsible for the symptoms related to ocular trauma.
a. Ocular Trauma: Abrasions, Chemical, corneal foreign-body, corneal perforation,
scleral perforation, subs conjunctival hemorrhage, hyphema, retinal detachment,
optic nerve avulsion
b. Adenexal Trauma: Lid hematoma, lid laceration
c. Orbital Trauma: Loss of eye movements, lower lid anesthesia
d. Chemical Injury: chemical burn to lids, conjunctiva and cornea. Limbal ischemia
leading to corneal problems, deep penetration of chemical burns etc.
61
d. Chemical Injury: copious irrigation (NEVER neutralize acid with alkali or vice
versa), lubricants, Vit C, steroids, surgery; amniotic membrane transplant etc.
etc.
62
GUIDE TO COURSE CONTENT
THEME 1: A PATIENT WITH GRADUAL PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
GUIDE TO REFRACTIVE ERRORS
1. DEFINITIONS
a. Myopia
b. Hyperopia
c. Astigmatism
d. Presbyopia
2. CLASSIFICATION
a. Axial
b. Refractive
c. Index
d. Simple & Compound Astigmatism
3. PRESENTATION
a. Gradual painless loss of vision (near or distant)
4. CORRECTION
a. Spectacles
b. Contact Lens
c. Lasers: PRK , LASIK
d. Surgery
5. SPECIAL CASES
a. Keratoconus
i. Definition
ii. Presentation
iii. Correction
1. Glasses
2. Contact Lens: Soft, Rigid
3. Surgery: Collagen crosslinking, Intrastromal rings, Keratoplasty,
b. Pathologic myopia
i. Definition
ii. Presentation
iii. Rule out pathological myopia with high risk retinal degenerations/ Risk of retinal
detachment
iv. Correction
1. Glasses
2. Contact Lens
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THEME 1: A PATIENT WITH GRADUAL PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
2. PRESENTATION
a. Gradual, painless loss of vision, one or both eyes
b. Associated with systemic ailments
c. Associated with ocular ailments (Uveitis)
i. Varying degree of lens opacity
64
4. INTERVENTION
a. When to intervene
i. When activities of daily living affected
ii. Mature cataract leading to complications
b. How to intervene
i. Biometry
1. Axial length
2. Corneal Power
ii. Surgical procedures
1. Anesthesia
a. Local: Topical, Peribulbar, Retro bulbar (old)
b. General
2. Procedure
a. Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation
i. Advantages
1. Early wound healing
2. Lower astigmatism
b. Extra-capsular Cataract Extraction with IOL implantation
c. Intra-capsular Cataract Extraction:
5. COMPLICATIONS
a. Per-operative
i. Bleeding
ii. Iris Prolapse
iii. Posterior Capsule Rupture/ rent/tear
1. Loss of lens fragment
2. Vitreous loss
b. Post-operative
i. Wound leak
ii. Endophthalmitis
1. Warning symptoms
a. Pain
b. Sudden loss of vision
c. Red Eye
2. Management
a. Intra-vitreal antibiotics (Gram +ve and –ve cover), Vitrectomy
3. Prognosis
a. Grave
iii. Posterior Capsular Opacification
a. YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy
65
THEME 1: A PATIENT WITH GRADUAL PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
2. PRESENTATION
a. Gradual painless loss of vision, bilateral, “silently” destroys vision
b. Patients usually present with moderate to advanced disease
5. DIAGNOSTICS
a. Evaluation of Visual Field
i. Confrontational
ii. Automated perimeters; gold standard
b. Evaluation of Disk
i. Slit lamp with fundus lens
ii. Automated using OCT/ HRT
a. Cup-Disk Ratio; with notches suspicious
b. Thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer
c. Evaluation of IOP
i. Digital
ii. Applanation (12-21 mm Hg)
d. Evaluation of angle: Gonioscopy
66
6. MANAGEMENT
a. Achieve target pressure
i. No further damage occurs
ii. Customized for each patient
iii. Based on VF findings or Disk changes
b. Medical management
i. Aqueous suppressants
ii. Aqueous outflow modifiers
a. Single drug
b. Combination drugs
iii. Adverse effects & contra-indications
a. beta-blockers (asthma, heart blocks)
b. CAI (Sulpha allergy)
c. Prostaglandins (inflammatory/ ACG)
c. Surgery
i. Indications; Failure of medical therapy
a. Compliance (Cost, frequency)
b. Escalating damage
ii. Procedures:
a. Laser Trabeculoplasty
b. Trabeculectomy
c. Trabeculectomy with antimetabolites
d. Glaucoma shunts/ drainage devices
67
THEME 1: A PATIENT WITH GRADUAL PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
68
d. Vocational ad mobility training
RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA:
1. DEFINITION
a. Hereditary disorders that affect the photoreceptors (rods) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)
2. PATIENT PRESENTATION
.
a. Night blindness.
b. Visual field constriction
c. Fundus shows RPE hypertrophy as ‘bone spicules’
3. MECHANISM
a. Progressive photoreceptor dysfunction and death
i. Apoptosis
4. INVESTIGATION
a. ERG (Concepts)
b. Fundus Exam
i. Bone spicules
ii. Pale ‘waxy’ disk (photoreceptor death)
iii. Thin vessels (photoreceptor death -> Nutritional requirement)
5. MANAGEMENT
a. Patient Education
b. Low vision devices in advanced vision loss
c. Vocational ad mobility training
69
THEME 1: A PATIENT WITH GRADUAL PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
1. DEFINITION
Changes in retina due to microangiopathy of diabetes
2. PATIENT PRESENTATION
a. Usually gradually worsening vision, this is painless, bilateral but can be asymmetrical.
b. At times sudden clouding of vision, which is painless, usually unilateral with objects appearing
“red” (vit. hge)
c. At times as above, with severe visual loss (vascular occlusion)
i. At-least micro-aneurysms
ii. Hard-exudates
iii. dot-blot and flame shaped hges
iv. New vessels, Iris neo-vascularization and NVG
4. CLASSIFICATION
a. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
i. At-least micro-aneurysms to less than new vessels
b. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
i. New vessels at disk or elsewhere
ii. Iris neo-vascularization
5. INVESTIGATIONS
a. Blood glucose levels
b. FFA
i. Concept (retinal blood flow & its changes)
c. OCT (Retinal thickness/ macular edema)
6. MANAGEMENT
a. CONTROL OF DIABETES & RISK FACTORS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE
b. For Diabetic Macular edema
70
i. Intra vitreal Anti VEGF Injections
ii. Laser (focal/ grid)
iii.Intra vitreal steoroid Injections
7. COMPLICATIONS
a. Vitreous hemorrhage
i. from weakened vessel walls due to AS or dilation. Everything seems red
b. Vascular Occlusion
ii. Secondary to AS.
c. NVG
i. Retinal ischemia
d. Tractional Retinal Detachment
71
THEME 2: A PATIENT WITH SUDDEN PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
2. ETIOLOGY
Rhegmategenous (tear)
a. Requirements of a Rhegmategenous detachment
i. Tear or hole formation
ii. Fluid to move through the tear (liquefied vitreous)
iii. Separation of retinal layers
b. Tear in the neural retina
i. Usually peripheral (thin retina)
ii. Associated with:
a. PVD (Vitreous traction); Old age (tear)
b. Trauma (tear)
c. Pathologic myopia (thinned retina) (hole)
d. Idiopathic (holes; pre-existing)
e. Systemic diseases (Marfan’s)
i. Conn. Tissue anomalies
c. Liquefied vitreous
i. Pathologic myopia (degeneration of vitreous)
ii. Age related degeneration of vitreous (PVD)
d. Separation
i. Degree of separation dependent on:
a. Location & number of tear(s)/ hole(s)
b. Nature of vitreous
Tractional (less common)
a. Formation of traction bands in the vitreous
i. Vitreous inflammation
ii. Diabetes
b. Bands contract leading to detachment
c. At times bands can cause a tear formation and lead to rhegmatagenous detachment
Exudative (even less common)
a. Accumulation of extensive amount of fluid in sub-retinal space (between neural and pigment retina)
b. Usually associated with long standing malignant HTN
i. Phaeochromocytoma
c. “Shifting” detachment. The detachment shifts as the patient changes posture (movement of fluid)
3. PRESENTATION
Rhegmatagenous
a. Curtain like sudden, painless loss of vision
b. Associated with
i. flashes (vit. traction)
ii. floaters (pigment OR blood)
c. Associated features of trauma
72
Tractional
a. Curtain like loss of vision
b. Associated with findings of systemic disease or pre-existing ocular disease
c. Other presenting features
i. flashes
ii. floaters
Exudative
a. Loss of vision that tends to “shift”
b. Associated symptoms/ signs of systemic ailments
4. PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
a. Rhegmatagenous (external and internal approaches)
i. Remove fluid
a. Via an external opening
b. Via the hole/ or tear
ii. Seal hole/ tear
a. Externally by cryo
b. Internally by laser
iii. Provide tamponade to healing retina
a. Externally by band/ buckle
b. Internally by gas or fluids
iv. Provide prophylaxis for other eye (pathologic myopia)
a. “barrier” laser at peripheral retina
b. Tractional
i. Release bands
a. Internally by vitrectomy
ii. Rhegmatagenous RD management
c. Exudative
i. Manage underlying condition
5. COMPLICATIONS
a. Loss of vision
b. Loss of eye (phthisis)
73
THEME 2: A PATIENT WITH SUDDEN PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
2. ETIOLOGY
a. Arterial Occlusion (Central or Branch)
i. Atherosclerosis
ii. Embolic
iii. Thrombotic
b. Venous Occlusion
i. Central
a. AS in the Central Artery
b. Malformations (rare)
c. Hypercoagulable states?
d. Thrombus
ii. Branch
a. At Arterio-venous crossing
i. Common adventia
ii. AS in arteries compress veins
b. Local Inflammations (rare)
3. PRESENTATION
a. Central Occlusions
i. Sudden painless loss of vision
a. More in arterial occlusion
b. Varying in venous occlusion
b. Branch Occlusions
i. Sudden painless loss of visual field
ii. Central vision effected if
a. Macular vessels affected
b. fluid accumulation in macula (venous occlusion)
c. SIGNS
a. Central Venous Occlusion
i. “Red” infarct (blood comes in, but can’t be drained)
ii. “Battle field” fundus
a. Scattered hemorrhages all over the retina
b. Hard exudates
iii. Dilated tortuous veins (back pressure)
iv. Cotton-wool spots
b. Branch Vein Occlusion
i. As above but in the quadrant of the occluded vein
74
i. “White” infarct (blood can’t come in)
ii. Pale fundus with thinned arteries and edematous retina (“one” large cotton wool spot)
4. MANAGEMENT
a. Boils down to preventing other eye from going blind.
i. Manage underlying etiology
b. Macular edema in vein occlusion (if affecting central vision)
i. Steroids
ii. Lasers (branch vein only)
iii. Anti-vegf
5. PROGNOSIS
a. Arterial occlusions usually have a grave prognosis
b. Venous occlusion depends on degree of closure and mac. Edema
6. COMPLICATIONS
a. Venous
i. Neo-vascularization of the retina and iris
ii. NVG
b. Arterial
i. Neo-vascularization (rare)
_____________________________________________________________________________
75
THEME 2: A PATIENT WITH SUDDEN PAINLESS DECREASED VISION
2. ETIOLOGY
a. Infectious
i. Viral
b. Non-infectious
i. MS
ii. Optic neuritis can be the first sign of MS
iii. Almost 50% of patients who have optic neuritis go on to develop MS
3. PRESENTATION
a. Sudden painless loss of vision.
b. Visual loss is usually severe down to PL
c. Loss of color vision
d. Loss of contrast sensitivity
e. RAPD
f. Vague complaints of pain on eye movement (retro bulbar type)
g. Examination
i. Papillitis: inflamed, congested optic nerve head
ii. Retro bulbar: Normal looking fundus
4. INVESTIGATIONS:
a. MRI
i. For signs of MS
5. MANAGEMENT
a. Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial (ONTT)
b. 3 days I/V followed by 11 days oral with 3 days taper
c. Alternate: Avonex
d. Attacks can recur and the treatment for recurrence is the same
6. COMPLICATIONS
a. Visual deprivation due to optic atrophy
_____________________________________________________________________________
76
THEME 3: A PATIENT WITH A RED EYE & DECREASED VISION
2. PRESENTATION
a. Sudden, painful loss of vision with a red eye.
b. Hazy/ edematous cornea
c. Shallow AC
d. Mid-dilated non-reactive pupil
e. Circum-corneal congestion
3. MECHANISMS
a. Push factors
i. Phaco morphic glaucoma
ii. Small eye (hypermetropia; Primary ACG)
b. Pull factors
ii. Anterior uveitis (peripheral anterior synechiae)
iii. NVG
4. IMMEDIATE MANAGEMENT
a. Lower IOP
i. Hyper-osmotic agents (Oral, IV; *caution DM; CCF)
ii. Topical pilo, b-blockers, steroids, CAI
iii. Oral analgesics, anti-emetics
iv. Oral CAI
b. Perform PI in BOTH Eyes!
6. SURGERY
a. General concept
i. Filtration surgery
ii. Many complication for a simple procedure
b. Refractory AC; (NVG)
i. Trab might not work
a. Trab with MMC
b. Valves (basic idea)
77
THEME 3: A PATIENT WITH A RED EYE & DECREASED VISION
GUIDE TO KERATITIS
1. DEFINITION & CLASSIFICATION
a. Inflammation of the cornea
i. Infectious
ii. Non-infectious (usually near the limbus)
2. PRESENTATION
a. Sudden, painful, loss of vision with a red eye. Usually associated with trauma, CL wear,
Immuno-compromised state
i. Circum-corneal congestion
ii. Corneal ulcer* (none in H’e, Nisseria, H’influenza with infiltration)
iii. Corneal thinning and even perforation
iv. Hypopion
v. Associated signs
a. Decreased sensations (HZO)
b. Pustule lesions on face; CN V (HZO)
3. MECHANISM
a. Invasion of ocular tissue by microbes
4. ETIOLOGICAL AGENTS
a. Bacteria
b. Fungi (h/o trauma with vegetative matter)
c. Viruses (usually HZ; immuno-compromised state)
d. Protozoa (CL use)
5. MANAGEMENT
a. Obvious viral
i. Dendritic ulcer
ii. HZO signs
a. Acyclovir 800mg 5 times a day for 14 days
b. Others
i. Stop all treatment, if any is taken
ii. Scrap and swab
a. Culture
b. Sensitivity
c. KOH for fungi
iii. Start broad spectrum antibiotic & cycloplegic
a. No anti-fungals till proven
iv. Review with C/S report
a. Continue treatment if condition improves
b. Alter if worsening in light of C/S report
v. Continue meds 3 days after infiltration clears
6. COMPLICATIONS
i. Corneal thinning/ perforation
a. Amniotic membrane graft
b. Conjunctival graft
c. Bandage contact lens
ii. Corneal opacity
a. Keratoplasty
78
THEME 3: A PATIENT WITH A RED EYE & DECREASED VISION
GUIDE TO UVEITIS
1. DEFINITION & CLASSIFICATION
i. Inflammation of the uveal tract
ii. Divided into 3 entities based on anatomical landmarks
iii. Classified as
a. Granulomatous or Non-granulomatous
b. Acute or Chronic
iv. Strong association with systemic diseases & HLA
a. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)
b. IBD
c. Arthritis & urethritis (reactive arthritis)
d. Psoriasis
e. Granulomatous type associated with TB; Syphilis
f. CHRONIC: Associated with JIA
v. Most cases are idiopathic
2. PRESENTATION
i. Sudden painful loss of vision with a red eye (Acute)
ii. Chronic presents with gradual loss of vision with minimal symptoms
iii. Presentations:
a. AS presents as unilateral disease which can skip between two eyes
b. IBD, Psoriasis can present with bi-lateral disease
c. JIA usually associated with bilateral disease
d. Co-existing TB; syphilis is a clue to Dx
e. Most cases are idiopathic
iii. ACUTE
a. Circum-corneal congestion
b. Keratic Precipitates KPs (either mutton-fat for granulomatous)
c. Anterior chamber flare and cells (cells indicate active disease)
d. Small, non-reactive & irregular pupil (post. synechiae)
e. Anterior synechiae formation
f. Sterile hypopion in case of severe reaction
g. Rise in IOP depending on degree of CB inflammation vs angle closure
iv. CHRONIC
a. Mild to no symptoms of pain and red eye
b. Might have acute on chronic presentations
c. Patient presents when the vision has deteriorated due to cataract formation
3. MECHANISM
i.Anterior chamber inflammation leading to
ii. Pathological changes in Acute inflammation
a. Cells & flare (exudation
b. Keratic Precipitates (KPs)
c. Sticky iris produces ant. & post. synechiae
d. IOP is interplay between inflammation & angle closure
4. ETIOLOGY
Listed above (mostly idiopathic)
79
5. MANAGEMENT
i.First attack, no investigations only treat (idiopathic)
a. Steroids (or alternate immuno-suppression)
i. Route usually topical
ii. Can be oral or sub. Conjunctival in case of severe infection
b. Cycloplegics
ii. Think of a possible link between a systemic disease and ant. uveitis in case of a first attack
6. COMPLICATIONS
a. Therapy
i. Steroids
a. Posterior Sub-capsular cataract
b. Glaucoma (open angle)
b. Disease
i. Cataract (inflammation in the anterior chamber)
ii. Glaucoma (interplay between synechiae and ciliary body involvement & drug use)
80
THEME 3: A PATIENT WITH A RED EYE
GUIDE TO CONJUNCTIVITIS
1. DEFINITION & CLASSIFICATION
a. Inflammation of the conjunctiva
i. Non-Infectious
a. Allergic
b. Following chemical trauma
ii. Infectious
a. Bacterial
b. Viral
c. Spirochete (trachoma)
b. Infectious
i. Bacterial
a. Neo-natal
i. Neisseria gonorrhoeae
ii. purulent discharge with sticky eye
iii. Can cause extensive damage
iv. Topical antibiotics
v. I/M Cephalosporin + topical drugs
81
b. Children & Adult
i. Purulent discharge
ii. Sticky Eye
iii. Other eye involvement in 2 days
iv. Broad spectrum antibiotic (Chloremphenicol)
v. Avoid Chloremphenicol in children *bone marrow suppression
ii. Viral
a. “Pink” rather than a “red” eye
b. Profuse watery discharge
c. Seasonal out breaks (epidemics)
d. 2nd eye involvement in 5 days
i. Supportive treatment
a. Cold compresses
b. Anti-histamines
c. Decongesents
ii. Bacterial prophylaxis
82
THEME 3: A PATIENT WITH A RED EYE
a. Episcleritis
i. Inflammation of episclera
a. Nodular
b. Diffuse
b. Scleritis
i. Inflammation of sclera (Necrotizing or Non-Necrotizing)
a. Focal (which can be flat or nodular)
b. Diffuse
b. MANAGEMENT:
a. Immune suppression
b. Thinning / Perforation
i. Grafting
83
4. MISCELLANEOUS CONDITIONS
a. Giant papillary conjunctivitis
i. Contact lens wearers
ii. Discontinue wear till resolution
a. Mast cell stabilizers
b. Enzyme system for lens cleaning
b. Toxic follicular conjunctivitis
a. Topical drugs
b. Cosmetics
c. Causes a “trachoma” like reaction minus Herbert’s pits
d. Discontinue use of drugs and/or cosmetics
_______________________________________________________________________
84
THEME 4: A PATIENT WITH AN OCULAR GROWTHS/ OCULAR / ADNEXA
SWELLING
2. PRESENTAITON
a. Chalazion
i. Painless swelling on the lid
ii. Slow growing
b. Internal hordeolum
i. Painful swelling on the lid
ii. Acute presentation
c. Stye
i. Painful swelling on lid margin
ii. Associated with cellulitis of the lid at times
iii. May also be associated with conjunctivitis if the lash is pulled during infected state
d. Malignant Tumors
i. As a nodule, ulcer or thickening of the lids
ii. Can masquerade as a recurrent Chalazion
iii. Common in Caucasians, old age, UV exposure
e. Acquired Dacryocystitis
i. Painful swelling of the lacrimal sac
ii. Purulent output on regurgitation test
iii. Associated with:
a. Poor hygiene
b. Pre-existing blockage
3. MANAGEMENT
Chalazion
i. Warm compresses
ii. Small lesions: Intra-lesional steroids
ii. Incision and curettage if “i” fails
iv. Rule out tumors in case of recurrent chalazion in the same place
Internal hordeolum & Stye
i. Systemic antibiotics & analgesics
85
ii. Topical antibiotics for conjunctivitis prophylaxis in stye
Tumors
i. Excision biopsy
ii. Radiation
iii. Reconstruction
Acquired Dacryocystitis
_____________________________________________________________________________
86
THEME 4: A PATIENT WITH AN OCULAR GROWTHS/ OCULAR / ADNEXA
SWELLING
Class Signs
0 No signs nor symptoms
1 Only signs are upper eyelid retraction, lid lag, stare
2 Soft tissue signs and symptoms (edema of lids)
3 Proptosis
4 Extra-ocular muscle involvement
5 Corneal involvement secondary to exposure
6 Sight loss secondary to optic nerve compression
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c. Proptosis can cause:
i. Optic nerve compression (mass effect)
ii. Dry eyes (improper closure/ exposure)
ii. Diagnosis:
i. Eyelid retraction with objective thyroid dysfunction
a. Thyroid dysfunction is seen in 25-50% patients
b. Thyroid hormone levels may be elevated, normal, or even low.
OR
ii. Either eyelid retraction or objective thyroid dysfunction with:
a. exophthalmos
i. Exophthalmos produces
a. Exposure
b. optic neuropathy
i. Compression of optic nerve produces:
a. Loss of vision/ color sensitivity
b. RAPD
c. extra-ocular muscle involvement
i. fusiform muscles on MRI
ii. Muscle involvement produces
a. Exophthalmos
b. Diplopia
iii. Management
a. A referral to endocrinologist is indicated
b. Short term goals
i. Maintain useful vision
a. For Exposure -> Lubrication; Eye lid closure (tape, Tarsorrhaphy)
b. Optic nerve compression -> 100mg/day Prednisolone until optic nerve
function normalizes. Consider orbital decompression (see below).
c. Diplopia -> Prisms/ Surgery
c. Long term goals
i. Restore Anatomy of orbit
a. Only when disease is stable
b. Orbital decompression
i. Remove orbital boundaries to make way for excess mass
_____________________________________________________________________________
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THEME 4: A PATIENT WITH AN OCULAR GROWTHS/ OCULAR / ADNEXA
SWELLING
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i. Fever
ii. Malaise
b. Management
i. Hospitalization (till afebrile, return of normal EOM)
ii. Blood works including cultures
iii. I/V antibiotics (1-2 Weeks)
a. Cephalosporin + Metronidazole therapy
b. If suspected fungal etiology add antifungal therapy
iv. Oral antibiotic therapy (2-3 weeks after I/V therapy)
a. Regime as above
v. Supportive therapy
a. Pressure lowering (If IOP is )
b. NSAIDs
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THEME 5: A PATIENT WITH LID MALPOSITION
2. PRESENTAITON
Ptosis
a. Complete or partial obscuration of the palpebral fissure
b. Amblyopia in congenital ptosis
i. Lack of lid crease
ii. Poor levator function
c. High arched brow in senile ptosis
d. Associated CN III palsy signs in paralytic ptosis
e. Associated signs of MG in myogenic ptosis
Ectropion
a. Out turned lower lid –varying degrees
b. Congested palpebral conjunctiva
c. Watering
d. symptoms of dry eyes
i. Poor blink action
ii. Gritty sensation
Entropion
a. Inward turned lower lid margin –varying degrees
b. Trichiasis
c. Watering and conjunctival congestion
d. Corneal ulcers and opacities
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3. INVESTIGATIONS & MANAGEMENT
Ptosis
i. Levator function
ii. Amount of ptosis
iii. Surgical correction
i. Some levator function
a. Levator resection
ii. Poor levator function
a. Frontalis sling
Ectropion
i. Identify the cause
a. Paralytic
i. Give time with supportive therapy
b. Senile
ii. Shorten the inner layers of the lid
Entropion
i. Identify the cause
a. Spastic
i. Release spasm or its cause
b. Senile
ii. Shorten out layers of the lids
_____________________________________________________________________________
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THEME 6: A PATIENT WITH DEVIATION OF EYES بھینگا پن/ آنکھ کا ٹیڑھا پن
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2. PRESENTAITON:
• INFANTILE ESOTROPIA: Alternate esotropia, presents around 6 months of age
• ACCOMMODATIVE ESOTROPIA: Uncorrected hypermetropia
• SENSORY ESOTROPIA/ EXOTROPIA: Stimulus deprivation e.g. cataract
• INTERMITTENT EXOTROPIA: Phoria dissociates into tropia
• PARALYTIC SQUINTS: sudden onset of diplopia
3. MANAGEMENT
- Rule out any media opacity, fundus pathology or neurological cause of squint.
a. Non-paralytic squint:
1. Check and correct Refractive error: (Cycloplegic refraction),
– Fully refractive accommodative esotropia.
• Treatment: full cycloplegic correction.
– Partially refractive accommodative esotropia.
• Treatment: i. Refractive error correction
– ii. Reassess with glasses
– iii. Surgery on residual squint only
2. Amblyopia treatment:
- Patching/ Atropinization
- Amblyopia becomes refractory if treatment is delayed
3. Surgery:
- Recession to weaken a muscle/
- Resection to strengthen a muscle
b. Paralytic squint:
- To avoid diplopia:
- Occlusion
- Prismatic glassess
- Surgery: Refractory period, muscle transposition (key concepts only)
Aim for straight eyes in primary and / reading position
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THEME 7: A PATIENT WITH OCULAR/ ORBITAL INJURY
iii. Orbital
a. Fracture of orbital bones
iv. Sympathetic Ophthalmitis
c. Remove superficial foreign body & prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic. If there is a
corneal abrasion, patching maybe beneficial
ii. Chemical
a. Presents with an intensely red eye with corneal opacification or even perforation if the
chemical is strong enough (usually strong alkalis; acids form slough which prevent
perforation. Pain can be present and range from mild to severe, again depending on
nature of chemical.
b. Chemical origin
i. Industrial
ii. Household
a. Toilet/ floor cleaners
b. Cooking (Vinegar, hot oil etc)
c. Wash continuously with clean water and call in a specialist. DO NOT STOP WASHING
till he arrives.
iii. Perforation
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a. Presents with as a painful red eye usually with varying amount of loss of vision,
depending on route of entry and final resting place
b. Perforation origin
i. Metal workers, shrapnel
a. Siderosis
b. Chalcosis
ii. Household items
a. Knives
b. Pencils, esp. children
iii. Bullets.
c. After an eye exam, start oral antibiotics and analgesics. Order an X-ray or CT (NO MRI
for magnetic objects). Prepare for surgery.
iv. Hemorrhages
a. Usually associated with blunt trauma, though can accompany other types of trauma as
well.
b. Origin
i. Subconjunctival
ii. Anterior chamber (hyphema)
d. Hyphema. Bed rest, with IOP reduction (topical and systemic).May cause very high
IOP and subsequent optic nerve damage. Non-clearing hyphema might require surgery.
ADENEXAL
i. Lid Hemorrhage
a. Presents with a black eye, if large enough can cause mechanical ptosis. Also called a
“shiner”. Technical term is ecchymosis
b. Origin
i. Blunt trauma
c. Self-resolving. Get orbital imaging to rule out secondary fracture of the orbit. If eyeball
can be seen, examine for damage as well as extra-ocular movements (to rule out orbital
fractures).
b. Origin
i. Trauma with sharp objects
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ORBITAL
i. Fracture of orbital bones
a. Presents with facial trauma with large objects (like cricket balls), as compared to ocular
trauma which occurs with small objects (like golf balls). May have varying signs of all
forms of trauma listed above, esp. hemorrhages. Specific signs include diplopia (double
vision, muscle entrapment), sunken eye (enophtalmos; fat herniation from fractured
walls) and lower lid anesthesia (damage to Infra-orbital nerve)
b. Origin
i. Ploy trauma, facial trauma
SYMPATHETIC OPHTHALMITIS:
- Rare disease, can be potentially blinding
- Bilateral, granulomatous uveitis
- Caused by exposure of previously immune-privileged ocular antigens from trauma or surgery
with a subsequent bilateral autoimmune response to this tissue.
- The injured or operated eye is the exciting eye and the contralateral eye is the sympathizing
eye.
- Vision is lost in one eye due to trauma , and in other eye due to granulomatous panuveitis.
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SECTION IV:
Ophthalmology Clinical Skills
98
HISTORY TAKING
2. Biopsychosocial profiling:
How are the patients symptoms related to his residence, surroundings & other people?
For example, if your patient complains of decreased vision, you can qualify this as
(depending on what the patient says)
*Common sense dictates that gradual loss of vision should not be associated with pain.
Most, but not all systemic diseases tend to affect both eyes symmetrically or
asymmetrically.
99
The advantage of qualifying presenting complaint helps narrow the differential. If the
patient has Sudden & painless loss of vision, you are thinking of only 4 major entities
(Retinal Detachment, Vascular obstruction, Optic nerve inflammation, vitreous
hemorrhage), rather than more than 10 for just loss of vision (Refractive errors, Cataract,
Open angle glaucoma, Macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, Keratitis, Angle
closure, Uveitis, Presbyopia and the three mentioned before).
Age can also help you narrow down the differential even further. A young patient
presenting with gradual painless loss of vision in both eyes probably has a refractive error,
while an elderly with similar complaints can have cataract, open angle glaucoma and/ or
macular degeneration (ARMD) as major differentials.
Environmental factors can also give a clue with regards to a diagnosis. A chemical factory
worker is likely to suffer from allergies, while an elderly male from northern Pakistan and
lid swelling might have a malignant tumor.
The table on the following page lists some of the most common ocular presentations. You
can use this as a ‘guide line’ to think about the ‘correct’ differentials. Try and place all
symptoms into a single disease category, rather than coming up with a different disease
for every symptom the patient presents with.
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# PRESENTATION COMMON DIFFERENTIALS
1. Refractive errors
2. Cataract ( age)
1 Painless loss of vision 3. Diabetic retinopathy
(GRADUAL) 4. Macular degeneration ( age)
6. Open Angle Glaucoma
7. Amblyopia (related to #1); ( age)
8. Retinitis Pigmentosa ( loss of night vision)
9. Retinoblastoma (Children)
10. Vit A. Deficiency
1. Retinal detachment
2 Painless loss of vision 2. Retinal vascular obstruction (CRAO/CRVO)
(SUDDEN) 3. Optic neuritis
4. Vitreous hemorrhage
1. Keratitis/ Corneal Ulcer/ Corneal Erosion
3 Painful loss of vision 2. Uveitis (Anterior)
(RED EYE D/D) 3. Angle closure
4. Episcleritis & Scleritis
1. Infectious conjunctivitis
4 Watery eye 2. Allergic conjunctivitis* (++ itching)
(& OTHER TYPES OF 3. Foreign body in the eye
DISCHARGE) 4. Tear film disturbance (incl. Vit A )
5. Blepharitis (related to #4)
6. Lid margin abnormalities
5 Ocular misalignment including 1. Non-paralytic squint/ ptosis
lids 2. Paralytic squint/ ptosis
LIDS:
1. Chalazion
2. Stye
6 Swellings & Growths 3. Tumors ( age, sun exposure, skin color)
4. Pre septal Cellulitis
ADENEXA:
1. Dacryocystitis(leading to #2)
2.Naso-lacrimal passage obstruction (occupation,
hygiene)
CONJUNCTIVA:
1. Pterygium (sun exposure)
2. Pengicula
PROPTOSIS:
1. Thyroid Eye disease
2. Orbital tumors
3. Rhabdomyosarcoma (Children)
4. Orbital Cellulitis
1 Orbital injury/fracture
7 Ocular trauma 2. Blunt ocular trauma
3. Penetrating injury
4. Chemical injury
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You can use this sample form to take an ophthalmic history:
PAST MEICAL/ SURGICAL HISTORY: Any significant history of illness that the patient might have
experienced. This might or might not be related to the current illness. Especially ask about ocular
disease/ surgery/ trauma etc. etc.
FAMILY HISTORY: Details about the patient’s family, their state of health (or illness). Especially ask
about family history of eye disease e.g. congenital cataract, glaucoma, night blindness, retinal
detachment etc. etc.
PERSONAL HISTORY: This, as the name states, lists personal information about the patient. His
occupation, income, addictions (smoking).
MEDICATIONS: This lists the medicines that the patient has used in the recent past or is still continuing
to use. Especially ask about anti-tuberculosis treatment, steroids ocular medications, injections or lasers
etc.
EXAMINATION RIGHT EYE LEFT EYE
Visual Acuity
Refraction
Near Acuity
Torch Exam:
Brows
Lids/ lashes
Conjunctiva
Cornea
Iris
Lens
AC Depth
Tonometry
Visual Field
EOM/ Ocular Alignment
Regurgitation
Ophthalmoscopy
Direct
Distant
Pupillary Reactions
Squint*
Corneal Reflection
Cover-Uncover
Alternate Cover
PTOSIS
INVESTIGATIONS: This part lists the investigations that have been done so far relating to the presenting
complaint.
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GENERAL OCULAR EXAMINATION
The examination of the ocular structures will help you pick up signs that will aid you in
diagnosing patient’s state of disease. General ocular examination is a series of tests that
should be done in all patients coming to the eye clinic
Objectives
1.Perform a thorough basic eye examination
a. Greet.Consent. Explain.Command.Procedure. Thank
2. Infer the results of the test
Clinical Methods
1. Record Visual acuity
a. Distant acuity with Snellen’s chart, pin hole at 6 meters
b. Near acuity with Reading chart
3. Pupillary reactions
a.Direct
b. Indirect
c. Consensual
d. Swinging light
103
SPECIAL OCULAR EXAMINATION
If your differential leads you towards a specific disease you can choose from these
“special” examination techniques to establish or dismiss your diagnosis.
Clinical Methods
1. Squint: Check ocular alignment
a. Corneal reflection test
b. Cover &Un –Cover tests
2. Ptosis
a. Ptosis measurement
i. Amount of ptosis
ii. Levator function
b. Associated phenomena
i. Bell’s phenomena
ii. Jaw winking
3. Examination of a swelling
a. Site
b. Size
c. Shape
d. Surface temperatures
e. Skin changes
f. Surrounding skin temperature & changes
g.Spread (superficial & deep attachments)
h. Sides (distinct or diffuse)
4. Corneal staining
a. Use of fluorescein dye
6. Digital Tonometery
7. Visual fields
a. Confrontation visual field
8. Extra-ocular movements
a. Nine diagnostic position of gaze (6 cardinal positions + primary position+
midline up and down position).
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COUNSELLING:
105
CLINICAL SKILLS
• All Clinical Methods have 7 components
1. Pre-requisites
3. Explanations
4. Command
6. Interpretation
7. Conclusion
1: PRE-REQUISITES:
– Location
– Lighting
– Instruments
– Seating arrangement
– Skill
3: EXPLANATION:
– If you need to palpate the patient, make sure you tell him (her) where and how and what
to expect.
106
– If you are going to use an instrument, show the instrument to the patient and explain how
you are going to use it.
– If you are going to do a procedure that is potentially painful, reassure and tell the patient
what to expect.
4: COMMAND:
5: PERFORM (PROCEDURE):
– It is better to tell the patient what you are doing, while you are doing it, but it is not
necessary
– DO NOT un-necessarily repeat procedures that potentially cause pain. Make sure you get
it right and pick up clinical findings the first time.
– Make sure you warm your hands if you are to palpate the patient and your nails are
properly clipped
6: INTERPRETATION:
– You can jot them down on paper once the examination is done
– Tell the examiner/ or note down the results in a technically “correct” manner
7: CONCLUSION:
107
To illustrate this, let’s take the example of the Visual Acuity Clinical skill. This example will help
you understand how to use plain language to communicate with the patient.
1: PRE-REQUISITES:
• Snellen’s Visual Acuity Chart (in a language the patient can understand), Level chart
with patient’s gaze
• Pin-hole
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
آپ اردو یا انگریزی میں سے کیا پڑھنا/ آپ اردو یا انگریزی پڑھ سکتے ہیں؟-
چاہیں گے؟
یا لفظ ”نون یا/ کیا آپ سامنے بورڈ پر یا آئینے کے پر سب سے اوپر والی الئن-
“دیکھ سکتے ہیں؟T
108
. اپنے بائیں ہاتھ کی ہتھیلی کے ساتھ اپنی بائیں آنکھ کو ڈھانپ لیں-
اور اس الئن تک پڑھیں جہاں تک آپ، “ سے پڑھنا شروع کریںT اب “نون یا-
. دیکھ سکتے ہیں
اب اپنی دوسری آنکھ کے لئے بھی یہی طریقہ کار دہرائیں۔-
- If the patient cannot read up to 6/6 line from the right eye, ask him to use a pinhole, while
keeping the left eye covered.
5: PERFORM (PROCEDURE):
• If the patient uses glasses for distant vision, ask him to put them on. Select a language he
is comfortable with or use tumbling E’s if the patient is illiterate
• Ask patient with both eyes open if he can see the top letter. If he can’t move the patient to
5m and ask again. Keep doing this till you are a meter away from the chart. If the patient
still can’t read, skip testing with Snellen’s chart.
• Ask the patient to close the Left eye with the palm and read the chart as far as possible.
Repeat with the right eye
6: INTERPRETATION:
• If the patient is 6/6 both eyes, his vision is equal to normal population
• If he is 6/6 with a pinhole in both eyes, he has some form of refractive error
• If his vision is less than 6/6 and doesn’t improve with pin-hole, he probably has a
pathologic process other than a refractive error. Pin hole testing may not improve VA by
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using a pin hole if the magnitude of refractive error is greater than +5 or less than -5, though
it might improve VA to some extent (e.g. from 6/36 to pinhole 6/18).
7: CONCLUSION:
110
CLINICAL SKILLS DETAILS
Practice exercises are given at the end of some skills. These will help you in self-assessment!
I: VISUAL ACUITY
1. Prerequisites
• Room: 6 meters in length, or 3 meters if a mirror is used.
• Snellen’s Visual Acuity Chart (in a language the patient can understand), Level chart
with patient’s gaze
• Pin-hole
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d. Note down the number associated with the last line the patient could read. If he reads less than
half the letters in the line also note the numbers of letters read.
e. Now ask the patient to close the right eye with the palm of his right hand
f. Now ask him to read as far down as he can with the left eye
. Note down the number associated with the last line the patient could read. If he reads less than
half the letters in the line also note the numbers of letters read.
h. If the patient can’t read all the way to the line associated with the number “6” continue to the
next step otherwise skip to #6: Interpretation
i. Ask the patient to hold the pinhole and show him the little opening in its center. Some pinholes
might have more than one opening. Repeat steps #b-g but this time with the pinhole in front of the
eye or distant vision glasses that the patient might be wearing.
j. If the patient can’t identify the top letter of the language he can understand continue to calculate
the visual acuity by: (one eye at a time for all the following steps i-v, the fellow eye MUST be
occluded as described above)
i. Reduce the distance 1 meter at a time. Ask him to identify the top letter at each 1-meter
reduction. Remember once the reading distance is less than 6 meters, the patient must only
be able to identify the top letter. If he can read more than the top letter, take him a meter
back. He should be able to read the top letter from there as well. Do this up to 1 meter. Skip
to #6: Interpretation
ii. If the patient can’t read the top letter at 1 meter, then show him either 1,3or 5 fingers at
two feet and ask him to identify the number of fingers you are holding up (one eye at a
time). If he can’t identify them at two feet, repeat at one foot. Skip to #6: Interpretation
iii. If the patient can’t count fingers at one foot, ask him to identify your moving hand (one
eye at a time). DO NOT ASK HIM EVERY TIME YOU MOVE YOUR HAND. Give the
command once and see if he can pick up the times you move your hand. If you must give
a verbal clue give it in a negative way. E.g. do not wave your hand and ask him if he can
see it moving. Also perform step #v if the vision is hand movements. Skip to #6:
Interpretation
iv. If the patient can’t see your hand moving, use a brightly illuminated torch and ask him
if he can see the light. If the patient confuses room lights with your torch’s, dim the room’s
lights. Again as before, give the command once only. Give verbal clues in a negative
manner (i.e. do not shine the torch in the patient’s eye and ask him if can hesee the light).
This is the LIGHT PERCEPTION. Move on to step v.
v. Shine the light from the top, bottom, left and right each time asking the patient to ‘catch’
the light. This is LIGHT PROJECTION. Do this one eye at a time.
112
6. Interpretation
a. Note down the visual acuity. If the patient can read the chart while sitting at 6 meters, the
visual acuity (VA) is notified as:
6/n +ph 6/n´ (or niph)
VA
6/p +ph 6/p´ (or niph)
Where
*n / p= the number of the line read with a naked eye or patient’s glasses
*n´ / p´= the number of the line read with a naked eye or patient’s glasses + pinhole (ph = pinhole)
*niph= If the vision does not improve with a pinhole
If the visual acuity was taken with the patient wearing his distance correction add the letter “cc”
below VA to indicate this.
Note:
*The vision in the right eye is written at the top
*If the vision is 6/6 (normal VA) there is no need to do pinhole testing!
*If the patient reads less than half the letters in a line, put a ‘p’ next to the visual acuity of that eye
to indicate that the patient read the line partially
b. If the patient was not able to read the chart at 6 meters, the visual acuity is noted as:
113
If the distance at which the patient stands while reading the chart is less than 6, the denominator
(the lower number) in the VA fraction can’t be anything else than 60!
c. For Counting Fingers use “CF” followed by 1’ or 2’ to indicate the distance
d. For Hand Movements use the notation “HM”
e. For Light Perception use the notation “LP”
f. For Light Projection use the following notation
S ±
T N ± ±
I ±
Where
S= Superior Retina I= Inferior Retina T= Temporal Retina N= Nasal Retina
+ = Light ‘caught’ by the patient
- = Light not ‘caught’ by the patient
When shining the light from top the bottom retina is illuminated and tested. If the patient can
‘catch’ the light put a “+” at the bottom of the “X” (which corresponds to ‘I’). Do this for all 4
quadrants.
g. If the patient has negative LP and no projection in ANY quadrant, note down the vision as
“NLP” (No Light Perception/ Projection)
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s visual acuity& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
8. Exercises
Describe the visual acuity for the following:
1: 2: 3:
6/18pph 6/6 4/60 ph 6/60 CF 2’ ph 6/60
VA VA - + + VA
HM - NLP
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II: NEAR ACUITY:
1. Prerequisites
a. Near Vision Chart
b. Well lit room
c. Patient MUST already be corrected for distance vision if required!
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
115
6. Interpretation
a. Near Vision (N or NV) is notified as
Nx
N Ny
Where
Nx = the number of the line the patient can read from the right eye
Ny = the number of the line that patient can read from the left eye
Note:
*There is no pinhole testing for near vision, nor any distance adjustment
*A normal individual reads up to the N6 line
*Near vision can be checked binocularly, because you are checking accommodation!!
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s near vision & its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
8. Exercises
116
III: TORCH EXAMINATION (ADNEXA)
1. Prerequisites
a. Torch
اسالم علیکم-
I. The Brows:
i. Symmetry between the two brows (the level of the two brows)
ii. Hair distribution
iii. Any Scars/ discolorations
iv. Any Swellings (see below describing a swelling)
117
iv. The position of the two lower lids especially the position of the puncta
v. Any accumulated discharge/ crusts on lashes
Ask the patient to close his eyes and examine the lids again
III. The Lids (Lids Closed):
IV. The Lacrimal Area: Shine the light on the medial side of the eye lids illuminating the side
of the nose adjacent to the eye lids. Look for
118
iii. Scars indicate surgery or trauma as do discolorations which might indicate tumors as well
iv. Swellings can be because of a number of causes depending on the presentation (infections,
benign or malignant tumors, edema, or blood)
II. The Lids (Lids open):
i. Asymmetrical lids might indicate ptosis, swellings on lids
ii. A difference in resting position of upper lids can indicate any of the causes listed above
iii. Direction of eye lashes indicates the position of lid margin. Normally they are directed outwards
and upwards (upper lid) or downwards (lower lid). Any change might indicate abnormal lid margin
position
iv. Lower lids rest at the level of the limbus. Punctii at the medial end of lower lids usually about
the eye ball.
v. Discharge on the lids might indicate Conjunctivitis. Crusting indicates Blepharitis
III. The Lids (Lids Closed):
i. Absence of lid crease line is seen in congenital ptosis
ii. Scars indicate trauma or surgery as do discolorations which might indicate tumors as well
iii. Swellings can be because of a number of causes depending on the presentation (infections,
benign or malignant tumors, edema, or blood)
iv. Abnormal lid closure can be seen after ptosis surgery or thyroid eye disease
v. Discharge on the lids might indicate Conjunctivitis. Crusting indicates Blepharitis
iv. The Lacrimal Area:
i. Scars indicate surgery or trauma (rare in this area). Discolorations indicate surgery or tumors
ii. Discharge indicates a fistula formation after dacryocystitis
iii. Swellings in this area are most likely due to chronic naso-lacrimal duct obstruction or acute
dacryocystitis
b. Illustrating your findings: Draw a picture as shown below and illustrate your adnexa findings
on it.
119
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
120
IV: TORCH EXAMINATION (EYE BALL)
1. Prerequisites
a. Torch
b. Well lit room
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
i. Ask the patient to look up, down, left and right while you examine the conjunctiva. You can
gently pull the upper lids upwards to inspect the superior conjunctiva. Make sure you let the
patient know what you are about to do! Look for:
For hemorrhages it is essential that you ask the patient to move the eyeball to find its
(hemorrhages) posterior limit
121
iv. Swellings or growths. Describe swellings as given in ‘Adnexa Examination’ and growths as
given below
v. Pull the lower lid down with the pulp of your thumb and examine the palpebral conjunctiva.
II. Cornea
The Cornea is examined first by shining the light from the front (direct) and then the same steps
are carried out by shining the light from about 60 degrees (oblique) to your viewing angle (as
shown below)
i. Examine the cornea for clarity. Note any faint opacities.
Grade opacities as given below
ii. Examine the limbus for a white band. This is usually present
in the elderly and is due to deposition of cholesterol (arcus
senilis)
iii. Cornea is devoid of blood vessels. Look for any aberrant
blood vessels.
III. Iris
The iris is examined the same way as above. Using both direct and oblique illumination.
i. Look at the shape and size of the pupil.
ii. Look at the color of iris and any sectoral changes in its color. Compare the color of the two
irises
IV. The Lens
The lens is best examined by using oblique illumination technique. Make sure the reflex of the
bulb of the torch falls within the pupil to get the best view. Describe the status of the patient as
follows
i. Phakic:
The reflex of the normal lens is grayish green. It appears to be like a grey cloud. If the lens has a
cataract it will take a white tinge. If the cataract is dense or mature enough, the entire lens might
be white
ii. Aphakic:
When there is no lens present, the reflex is jet black. If the patient moves his eye slightly the iris
seems to shake (i.e. has tremors). This is because it has lost its posterior lens support
iii. Pseudophakic:
When an artificial lens is implanted the reflex is like that of a piece of glass in the eye.
122
V. The Anterior Chamber depth
To examine the depth of the anterior chamber the torch is placed in line with the lateral canthus
(as shown below). You should be standing at the front and the patient should be looking straight
as was commanded at the beginning of the procedure
i. Shine the light into the anterior chamber from the position
shown
ii. Look for a crescentic shadow at the medial end of the eye ball.
If you see this than the anterior chamber is shallow
C. If you see any growths on the Conjunctiva describe them as:
i. The Starting point: Nasal, Temporal, Superior or Inferior Conjunctiva
ii. The End point: On the limbus, encroaches on the cornea
iii. The nature of growth: Fibrous, Fibro-vascular, Vascular, Pigmented.
D. Grade Corneal Opacities as:
i. Nebular: Faint opacities that don’t impede visualization of the iris
ii. Macular: Denser opacities that do impede visualization of the iris
iii. Leucomal: Very dense opacities that do not allow visualization of the iris
6. Interpretation
a. Either draw (see below) your findings or note them down
I. Conjunctiva
123
II. Cornea
i. Describe the shape of pupil. It is normally round. It might be small (miosed) and irregular in
uveitis, mid dilated and round in acute angle closure.
ii. Any differences in the color of the two irises might be because of uveitis
IV. The Lens
The anterior chamber is shallow in acute angle closure or hypermetropia and might lead to angle
closure
b. Illustrating your findings:
Draw a picture as shown below and illustrate your eye ball findings on it.
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
124
V: PUPILLARY REACTIONS
1. Prerequisites
a. 2 Torches (preferably one stronger at illuminating than the other)
اسالم علیکم-
4. Command
a. Make sure that the patient is seated comfortably
b. Ask the patient to look at a distant object
5. Procedure
All the steps are performed while standing at the side of the patient
a. Note the size of the pupils in a brightly lit room. Any difference of 2mm or greater between the
two pupils in is called anisocoria (an= not iso = same coria = pupil size)
b. Turn the room lights off (or make the room as dim as possible).
c. Note the size of pupils in the dark room by shining the light from below and just illuminating
the eyes
d. Illuminate the eyeball, one at a time, and notice the behavior of the pupil. Note its shape, its
reaction (Does all of the pupil react or does it react partially? Does it react to light at all). This is
the DIRECT PUPILLARY REACTION.
125
e. To check CONSENSUAL REACTION you will require two torches. Place the weaker of the
two illuminators below the eye and shine light on it so that it only allows you to see the pupil.
While keeping your eye on this pupil, use the other illuminator to shine light on the other eye
making sure the light does not spill over onto the opposite eye. Test both eyes.
f. To check for a Relative Afferent Pupillary Defect (RAPD), illuminate one eye and note its
pupillary reaction. Now quickly swing the light over to the other eye and see how it reacts.
g. To check for near (accommodation) response tell the patient to keep focusing at a distance until
you tell him to look at a near object like a pen. Illuminate both pupils from below (so that you just
see them). Ask the patient to look at the pen which is held about 20 cms from the patient in line
with the bridge of the nose.
6. Interpretation
a. Anisocoria: If there is a difference of > 2mm between the two pupils than anisocoria is present.
Anisocoria can be more in dark or light.
i. Anisocoria More in Dark:
If pupillary sizes exhibit a greater difference in dark (with the smaller pupil being defective as in
the dark pupils should dilate), it is called ‘anisocoria more in dark’. This is due to a defect in the
dilator muscle or its innervation of the smaller pupils.
ii. Anisocoria More in Light:
If anisocoria is more in light (with thelarger pupil being defective as in the light pupils should
constrict) it is called ‘anisocoria in light’. This is due to a defect in the constrictor muscle or its
innervation of the larger pupil.
b. Pupillary Reactions: Note the behavior of the pupils to various types of illumination. Pupillary
reactions are described by any of the following two methods:
i. Method I: Round/ Regular / Reacting (Both eyes direct, consensual & to accommodation).
Round: Describes the shape of the pupil
Regular: Describes that all of the pupil reacts
Reacting: Describes that pupil reacts to light
ii. Method II: PERRRLA.
P= Pupils
E= Equal (i.e. both eyes behave alike)
RRR = Round/ Regular/ Reacting (as above)
L= Light
A= Accommodation i.e. Near Reflex
Any oddity of this behavior is described by altering the three characteristics of the pupil (Round/
Regular / Reacting)
126
If the pupils are not Round: They can be oval, oblique. This usually indicates either uveitis (Iritis)
or pupillary trauma. Label them according to their shape.
If the pupils react irregularly (i.e. only a part of the pupil reacts): This can be due to trauma, effect
of dilating drugs, damage due to recurrent angle closure attacks. Label these pupil as ‘irregularly
reacting’
If the pupils do not react: This can be due to drugs, trauma, acute angle closure (mid-dilated), iritis
(constricted). Label these pupils as ‘Non-reacting’.
i. Direct Pupillary Reactions:
Label the pupil as described above
ii. Consensual Pupillary Reactions:
Label this reaction as described above
iii. Test for RAPD:
If an RAPD is detected label that eye as ‘RAPD+’. Remember that one optic nerve should
perform relatively better than the other for this test to be positive!
iv. Reaction to Accommodation i.e. Near Reflex:
Label this reaction as described above. It is possible for Accommodation reflex to be intact
in absence of light reactions (the pathway for both is different).
Note:
*The most important cause of a non-reacting pupil in a normal looking eye is drugs
*The most common cause of a mid-dilated and non-reacting pupil in a ‘red’ and ‘painful’ eye is
acute angle closure
*The most common cause of a constricted and non-reactive pupil in a ‘red’ and ‘painful’ eye is
iritis
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
127
VI: VISUAL FIELDS (CONFRONTATION)
1. Prerequisites
a. Ability to sit at level with the patient
b. Well lit room
c. Visual field testing targets (preferable)
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
آج مجھے کی آنکھ کا معائنہ کرنا ہوگا-
آج میں آپ کی نظر کے دائرہ کا جائزہ لوں گا-
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
- اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں-
4. Command
a. Make sure the patient is seated comfortably
b. Sit about a meter away from the patient making sure that you sit level with him
c. Show the patient your test target (top of a pen, wiggling finger) and ask him if he can see it with
his eyes (cover one eye while asking him to make sure he can see with both eyes independently).
d. Tell the patient you will either show the test target or wiggle your finger expecting him (the
patient) to tell you when he is able to see the target or your finger wiggling.
e. During the examination tell the patient to keep looking into your eye and not towards your hand!
5. Procedure
During the procedure you will measure the perimeter of the visual field followed by the area inside
the perimeter noting the defects in both
Spectacles can affect the size of the visual field. Either test without spectacles (for you and the
patient), or mention in your notes that the test was done with spectacles on (for you and/ or the
patient)
128
i. Ask the patient to close his left eye with the palm of his hand. You should close your right eye
(by the palm of your hand). The corresponding eyes now should be open
ii. Extend your left hand mid-way between yourself and the patient towards the left (temporarily)
in plane of the patient’s eyes. Wiggle your finger (or show the test target) asking the patient to tell
you if he can see the target. If he can’t move the target inwards until he can see it. You only need
to remember how the patient’s field in this quadrant compares to yours.
iii. Repeat this process (using the left hand) testing the superior (up), inferior (down) and nasal
(towards the right) quadrants (by extending your hand midway between yourself and the patient
in these quadrants, always in the plane of patient’s eyes). Keep in mind how the patient’s field
compares to yours in each of these quadrants.
iv. Repeat this process for the other eye, this time using your right hand. Again note how the
patient’s field compares to yours in the 4 quadrants.
v. Draw the perimeter of the visual fields as shown in #6 Interpretation
b. Testing inside the Perimeter:
i. Ask the patient to close his left eye with the palm of his hand. You should close your right eye
(by the palm of your hand). The corresponding eyes now should be open
ii. Ask the patient to tell you when he is unable to see the top of your finger (or the test target) as
you move it towards the center.
iii. Extend your left handmid way between yourself and the patient towards the left (temporarily)
in plane of the patient’s eyes. Place your finger (or show the test target) at approximately the point
where the patient was able to see it before. Now move it towards the center (in a straight line)
reminding the patient to tell you if he sees it disappearing (as described above). If at any point he
sees it disappear make a mental note of that position within the perimeter and ask the patient to
tell you when he can see the finger again. This will help demarcate the scotoma.
iv. Repeat this process (using the lefthand) testing the superior (up), inferior (down) and nasal
(towards the right) quadrants.
v. Repeat this process for the other eye, this time using your righthand. Again note how the
patient’s field compares to yours in the 4 quadrants.
vi. Draw any defects that were observed within the perimeter that you drew before (as shown in
#6 interpretation)
c. Locating the blind spot:
i. The blind spot cannot be tested by using your finger as the target falls outside the boundaries of
the scotoma created by the blind spot. Use the tip of the ball point pen as your target
ii. Ask the patient if he can see the tip of a ball point pen individually with both eyes.
129
iii. Ask the patient to close his left eye with the palm of his hand. You should close your right eye
(by the palm of your hand). The corresponding eyes now should be open
iv. Extend your left handmid way between yourself and the patient towards the left (temporarily)
while holding the pen in the plane of patient’s eyes.
v. Ask the patient to tell you when he can’t see the tip of the ball point pen
vi. Slowly move the ball point pen towards the center in a straight line, like you moved your finger
in testing within the perimeter (described above)
vii. The tip of the ball point pen should disappear for both you and the patient in the temporal field.
If it disappears for the patient before it disappears for you make a mental note. Do the same if it
disappears for the patient after it disappears for you. This demarcates the beginning of the blind
spot.
viii. Now ask the patient to tell you when it reappears. This marks the end of the blind spot.
ix. Repeat this procedure for the other eye
x. Note down the size of the blind spot on the same diagram as before
6. Interpretation
This test relies on you having a normal visual field and a blind spot. If you know yourself to have
a defective field take that into account
a. If the patient visual field perimeter compares to yours simply draw to round circles indicating
the perimeter of the field (for the right and left eyes). The figure below shows how the circle
represents the four quadrants of the visual field.
S S
T N N T
I I
Left Right
Normal Visual Fields
S = Superior Quadrant T = Temporal Quadrant
N = Nasal Quadrant I = Inferior Quadrant
130
b. If the patient visual field is defective as compared to yours, draw a constriction in the field in
the quadrant that you observed the defect in.
1. Superior quadrant left eye constriction 2. Inferior quadrant right eye constriction
c. If there was any scotoma (other than the blind spot), approximately draw it within the perimeter
(as solid circles). It is not necessary to show the blind spot, unless its size was bigger than your
own blind spot.
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
131
VII: REGURGITATION TEST
1. Prerequisites
a. Clipped fingers nails
b. Well lit room
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
آج میں آپ کی آنکھ کے آنسوؤں کے نکاس کے راستے کا معائنہ کروں گا -
اس کےلئے میں آپ کو تکلیف دیئے بغیرآپ کی آنکھ کی اندرونی طرف انگلی سے-
گی/دباؤ ڈالوں گا
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں- -
4. Command
a. Make sure the patient is seated comfortably
b. Ask the patient to look at a distant target
c. Ask the patient if he has had a bad cold recently.
5. Procedure
a. For performing regurgitation test on the right, stand on the patient’s right side. Conversely stand
on the left side if the test is to be performed on the patient’s left naso-lacrimal system
b. Make sure your finger nails are clipped, especially the nail on the little finger
c. Warm the little finger of your right hand (if you are left handed you can use your left hand as
well)
d. Observe the naso-lacrimal area of the patient. If you see a ‘hot’ swelling, ask the patient if it
hurts when he touches the swelling. DO NOT proceed without the consent of a doctor, if there is
such a swelling.
e. Observe the nasal bridge for any obvious deflection.
f. Look for any discharge in the area. You might want to clear the discharge to get a better view of
the area. Use gloves and a sterile cotton gauze. Tell the patient you are going to use the gauze to
clean his eye. If the discharge was on the side of the nose near the lacrimal sac area chances are it
was coming from a fistula.
132
g. Gently put the pulp of your little finger over the area of the lacrimal sac. To locate the lacrimal
sac follow the two eyelids as they converge medially. They end up is a cord like tendon which
runs medially to the nose. The lacrimal sac lies below this tendon. Now press the sac against the
side of the nose.
h. While you press over the lacrimal sac observe the punctii (on the medial end of the eye lids).
Look for discharge coming out of the punctii
i. Note the nature of discharge. It can be mucoid (white), purulent (yellow-white) or clear watery.
j. Repeat the procedure on the other eye (if required)
6. Interpretation
If upon pressing the lacrimal sac discharge regurgitates out of the punctii it implies an obstruction
of the lacrimal drainage system beyond the lacrimal sac.
a. If the discharge is mucoid, the obstruction is probably due to an old dacryocystitis
b. If the discharge is purulent, there is probably an element of dacryocystitis (most likely to be
chronic)
c. If the discharge is clear and watery the obstruction is most likely to be not very long standing
d. At times a nasal obstruction (due to deflected septum, hypertrophied mucosa or severe rhinitis)
can also produce a positive regurgitation test
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
133
VIII: DIGITAL TONOMETRY
1. Prerequisites
a. Clipped fingers nails
b. Well lit room
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
آج میں کاال موتیا کےلئے آپ کی آنکھوں کے دباؤ کا معائنہ کروں گا -
اس کےلئے میں آپ کو تکلیف دیئے بغیرآپ کی آنکھوں کو انگلیوں سے دباؤں گا -
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں-
4. Command
a. Make sure the patient is comfortably seated
b. After you have completed your observation (see step #a below) ask the patient to look down
towards his feet, but keep his head straight
5. Procedure
a. Start by telling the patient to fixate on a distant target. Observe the eye lids for any obvious
swelling (especially ‘hot’ swelling) or conjunctiva for severe congestion. If you see any swelling,
ask the patient if it hurtswhen he touches it. DO NOT proceed if there is such a swelling (or
conjunctival congestion) without the consent of the doctor.
b. Make sure your nails are clipped (all fingers, both hands) and your hands are warm (if they are
not, simply rub them together)
c. Stand on one side of the patient that is to be examined.
d. Once the patient is looking down place the pulp of the index fingers of both hands on the inner
and outer quadrants of the upper lid (as shown below) respectively.
e. Spread the rest of the fingers of both hands on the forehead for support.
134
f. Gently press on the eye lid with one of the fingers. Make a mental note of the feedback you get
from pressing on the globe. Also make a note of the feedback you get in the other finger. This is a
result of the vitreous/ aqueous in the eye shifting due to the initial pressure application.
g. Repeat the procedure in the other eye. THIS MUST BE DONE! Digital tonometery relies on
comparing the results obtained from both the eyes!
6. Interpretation
Digital tonometry is a qualitative assessment of Intra-ocular pressure. The results depend on the
tactile feedback obtained from pressing the eye
a. The feedback can be compared to the following:
i. Touching your finger nail with the pulp of your index finger
ii. Touching your palm with the pulp of the index finger
iii. Feedback sensation that is in between the two
Compare the difference in feedback between the two eyes.
b. If the feedback was like pressing your nail, the pressure in that eye is ‘high’
c. If the feedback was like pressing your palm, the pressure in that eye is ‘normal’
d. If both eyes ‘feel’ the same, qualify the pressures based on feedback (i.e. both eyes have ‘high’
pressures if it felt like pressing your finger nail)
e. If the feedback was somewhere in between it can be difficult to assess on digital tonometery if
these pressures are high or normal
NOTE:
*High and Normal here are qualitatively used. You can’t say if the ‘high’ pressure is higher than
normal, it is higher as compared to the fellow eye.
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
135
IX: EXTRA OCULAR MOVEMENTS
1. Prerequisites
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
. آج میں آپ کی آنکھ کے پٹھوں کا معائنہ کروں گا -
- اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں-
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
4. Command
a. Show the target you are going to use to perform the test and ask the patient to identify it with
both of his eyes individually. The target can be the tip of a pen. The light from a torch is NOT a
suitable target as it has no boundaries
5. Procedure
a. Make sure you are seated about a meter from the patient and on level with him
b. Testing Pursuits:
If you are asked to test pursuits in one eye (Ductions), ask the patient to close the other eye with
the palm of his hand. Testing procedure is the same for Ductions and testing both eyes together
(versions)
i. Ask the patient to follow your target with his eyes only and not move his head. If the patient
moves his head during testing ask him not to. If he continues to do so, tell the patient you are going
to hold his head with your hand in order to stabilize it in central position.
136
ii. Place the target midway between yourself and the patient in the midline at the level of the bridge
of the nose.
iii. Move your target in front of the patient in an “H” pattern with an extra central limb as shown
below (“the modified H”). You can test the muscles in any order
iv. As the patient moves his eyes notice if they reach the end point of movements in each position.
The end points for different position are approximated as follows:
a. Elevation: The eyes should move up so that about 3mm of clear sclera can be seen below
the limbus
b. Depression: The eyes should move down so that about half the cornea is covered by the
lower lid. Lift the upper lids to get a better look view
c. Abduction: The temporal limbus should reach the lateral canthus
d. Adduction: The nasal limbus should be inside the puncta on the lower lid
v. Once you are done with the modified “H” movements perform tests for convergence and
divergence
a. Convergence Testing: To test convergence move your target from about half meter out,
level with the bridge of the nose, towards the patient and notice both eyes moving inwards
b. Divergence Testing: To test divergence simply move the target back from the position
at the end of step #a above. Notice both eyes moving outwards.
If you were asked to perform Ductions, repeat the procedure in the other eye.
SR IO+SR IO SR IO+SR IO
LR MR MR LR
IR IR+SO SO SO IR+SO IR
RIGHT EYE LEFT EYE
THE MODIFIED “H”
vi. Draw the Extra ocular movement chart as shown above. Indicate any deficit by marking the
approximate movement of the eye in that gaze. E.g. the figure below shows abduction deficit in
the right eye. The eye only moves about half way out from the midpoint (indicated by) Put a “√”
against all movement that are ‘full’ (i.e. the eye reaches the end point)
137
√SR IR+IO√ IO√
LR MR √
NOTE:
*Sometime you can induce a nystagmus as the eye reaches its end point
c. Testing Saccades
i. Place both of hands in the horizontal plane, fisted, midway between yourself and the patient
spreading them so they are lie just outside the facial outline of the patient as shown below.
ii. Ask the patient to quickly look towards the hand with the open palm without moving his head.
iii. Randomly open and close the fists between the two hands and notice if the patient is able to
rapidly switch between the hands and gaze towards the one with the open fist
iv. Repeat the procedure by keeping your hands in the vertical plane, just outside the outline of the
patient (as shown below).
138
6. Interpretation
Defects in extra-ocular movements could be due to neurologic, muscular or orbital causes. The
most common cause of defective movement is neurologic (nerve palsies)
a. Associate defective movement with its muscle and the nerve. It is possible to have multiple
muscular deficits. As CN III supplies more than a single muscle its palsy will affect more than one
extra ocular movement
b. Abnormal saccades are due to lesion in the control center for saccades which lies in the
cerebrum
7. Conclusion
139
X: OPHTHALMOSCOPY
1. Prerequisites
a. Ophthalmoscope
b. Dark Room
c. Your own refractive error
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
آج مجھے اس خصوصی آلے * کی روشنی مدد سے آپ کی آنکھ کا معائنہ کرنا ہوگا-
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں-
*Point to the ophthalmoscope in your hand
4. Command
a. Make sure the patient is seated comfortably
b. Ask him to focus on a distant object
c. Before turning the lights off, tell the patient you are going to do so
d. Ask the patient if he wears distance vision correction. If he does ask he knows the number of
his correction. If he does not look at his glasses and find out if they are correcting hypermetropia
or myopia. Make a mental note of this. You only need to note the spherical correction.
5. Procedure
Two different types of examination are performed with the ophthalmoscope
a. Distant Ophthalmoscopy (also called Distant-Direct Ophthalmoscopy)
b. Direct Ophthalmoscopy
Make sure you are familiar with the equipment before beginning the examination.
You should learn to do this test without wearing your distance correction spectacles. Contact
lenses are okay. Remember to dial in your correction in the instrument before doing direct
ophthalmoscopy. Again only take into account the spherical correction
140
a. Distant Ophthalmoscopy:
i. Stand at the side of and about a meter away from the patient
ii. Turn the instrument on to full illumination
iii. Point the instrument towards a wall and make sure the largest white light circular illumination
is selected. If not select it
iv. Now shine the light at the patient centering it on the bridge of the nose
v. Bring your eye to viewing hole of the instrument
vi. Observe the nature of the reflex coming from the eyes
vii. You might want to dial in a +10 lens to magnify small opacities (obstruction in the red reflex)
b. Direct Ophthalmoscopy:
i. Hold the instrument in the same hand as the eye of the patient you want to examine and stand
about a meter away on the side of the patient (the side which corresponds to the eye being
examined).
ii. Tell the patient you are going to approach him with the ophthalmoscope during the examination
and might need to put your hand on his head. Tell him that you are going to be really close to him
during the examination
iii. If the patient’s pupils are dilated turn the instrument on and select the largest white light circular
illumination, otherwise select the smaller white light circular illumination.
iv. Dial in an appropriate correction which is the algebraic sum of your correction and the patient’s
correction (E.g. If you wear -3 and the patient wears +1, the correction to dial in is -3+(+1) = -2)
iv. Center the light in the patient’s eye to be examined. Now bring your eye (the same as the one
as you are examining. E.g. If you are examining the patient’s right eye, use your right eye) to the
viewing hole
v. Follow the red reflex in towards the patient.
vi. The top of the instrument should be adjacent to the patient’s brow. At this point the retina
should be in focus.
vii. Twist the instrument medially to locate the optic disk. Notice its margins, color, size of cup
viii. Follow any of the 4 large blood vessels into their respective quadrants. Look for hemorrhages,
exudates in those quadrants
ix. Finally tell the patient to look into the light. Be quick and try and locate the fovea reflex (a
small bulb like reflex just on top of the fovea). Also try and look for patches of pigmentation or
degeneration (white areas). DO NOT spend too much time looking at the fovea! The bright light
will hurt the patient!
141
6. Interpretation
a. Distant Direct Ophthalmoscopy:
i. A ‘full’ red reflex in both eyes indicates a normal finding. Notice that the ‘red’ might not be
uniform in its entirety. The bottom half might be slightly duller than the top and may even appear
to be nearly black. Do not confuse this with the ‘black’ of an opacity
ii. If you find an obstruction in the way of the red reflex (which always appears as ‘jet’ black) try
and localize it. The opacities can only exist in the transparent media of the eye (cornea, lens and
vitreous).
a. Any opacities in the cornea should be detected during torch examination of the eye ball
b. Any vitreous opacity should move as the patient moves his eyes.
c. Opacities most commonly detected by the ophthalmoscope are from the lens (cataract)
b: Direct Ophthalmoscopy:
It is a very difficult task to be able to learn retinal and optic disk examination during a 4 week
rotation. Try and concentrate on honing your skill. The findings that you should try and look for
are
i. Hemorrhages: They appear red
ii. Exudates: They appear yellow
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
142
XI: PTOSIS EXAMINATION
1. Prerequisites
a. A millimeter rule (scale)
b. Torch
c. Well lit room
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
آج مجھے اس اسکیل اور ٹارچ کی روشنی مدد سے آپ کی آنکھ کا معائنہ کرنا ہوگا-
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں-
4. Command
a. Make sure the patient is comfortably seated
b. Ask the patient to look straight at the beginning of the examination
c. Sit just to the side of the patient so that you can easily reach his eyes with your hands
5. Procedure
Ptosis examination has the following components:
*Amount of Ptosis
*Levator function
*Checking Bell’s phenomena
*Corneal sensations
*Jaw Winking
DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU OBSERVE ANY ‘HOT SWELLINGS’ ON THE PATIENTS
LIDS! Take the consent of a doctor first!
a. Amount of Ptosis:
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i. While the patient is looking straight note the level of upper lid resting position in BOTH the
eyes. Make a note of thelevel of the highest point on upper lid in relation to the center of the pupil
(see diagram below).
ii. If it is difficult for you to assess the position of the upper lid in relation to the pupil, center the
light of a pen torch on the eye. Note the distance between the reflection of the bulb in the cornea
to the position of the highest point on the upper lid (see diagram below). Do this for both eyes
b. Levator function:
i. Tell the patient you are going to hold his brow with the thumb of your hand
ii. Warm your hands
iii. Place your thumb (firmly, but gently) horizontally over the brow of the eye with ptosis
iv. Tell the patient you are going to bring the rule (scale) to the front of his eye
v. Tell the patient to look down with his eyes, keeping his head straight
vi. Place the rule (scale) in front of the patient’s eye, millimeter side on the front.
vii. Align the lowest point on the upper lid with any printed number on the millimeter side of the
scale (This value will be referred to as ‘x’).
viii. Tell the patient to look up as far as he can while you hold his brow and the scale in front of
his eye. This movement of the lid is defined as ‘excursion’
ix. Notice the position of the upper lid relative to the scale when the patient is looking up. Note
this reading on the scale. (This value will be referred to as ‘y’)
x. Subtract ‘y’ from ‘x’ (y-x). This is the levator function. Note this down
c: Bell’s Phenomena:
i. Ask the patient to firmly close his eyes (both of them!)
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ii. Tell him that you will try to open his eyes with your hands and he should offer some gentle
resistance to your efforts
iii. Gently place the pulp of your thumbs on the upper lids of the patient’s closed eyes
iv. Now gently open the patient’s eyes by apply upward force from your thumbs. Note if the eye
ball has rotated upwards. This will be evident by the cornea having moved upwards underneath
the upper lid. Note how much of the cornea is visible when you open his eyes
d: Corneal Sensations:
i. Make a thin wisp out of a tissue paper
ii. Show this wisp to the patient telling him that you will use this to assess the cornea of the patient
iii. Hold the wisp in your right hand if examining the right eye ptosis and vice versa
iv. Hold out your left hand, as far to the left of the patient as possible, and instruct the patient to
turn his eyes towards your hand without turning his head
v. Bring the wisp from the right side outside of the patient’s gaze. If he sees the wisp approaching
his eyes he will close them before the wisp can touch the cornea
vi. Note if the patient reflexley closes his eye when the wisp touches the cornea
e: Jaw Winking:
i. Ask the patient to imagine as if he is chewing a gum
ii. Notice if his eyes ‘wink’ as he chews
iii. It is easier if you offer children a biscuit (after taking permission from their guardian).
6. Interpretation
Always compare the two eyes before commenting on ptosis. Congential ptosis can be bilateral and
asymmetrical. Some races have shorter palpebral fissure heights that might simulate ptosis
a. Amount of Ptosis:
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i. The horizontal corneal diameter is 12mm, thus the radius is 6mm. The upper 2mm is normally
covered by the upper lid
ii. The normal distance between the highest point on the upper lid and the center of the pupil (which
corresponds to the center of the cornea in almost all normal eye balls) is thus 6-2mm (= 4mm).
iii. In ptosis this distance is reduced. At times the ptosis can be severe enough to completely cover
the pupil. In these cases measure the visible cornea from below and subtract that from the corneal
radius (6mm). For example if only 2 mm of cornea can be seen; 2-6 = -4mm of ptosis.
b. Levator function:
Levator function provides an insight into the ability of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle to
elevate the upper lid. Depending on the value obtained, levator function is described as:
i. Poor (Upper lid excursion of 0-5 mm)
ii. Moderate (Upper lid excursion of 5-10 mm)
iii. Good (Upper lid excursion of ≥ 11 mm).
It might be possible to operate on the levator muscle if its function is moderate. If the function of
the muscle is poor, it is usually advisable to perform a sling surgery
c. Bells’ phenomena:
Good Bell’s phenomena (cornea completely covered by upper lid) indicates that the cornea will
be protected if ptosis is over corrected
d. Corneal sensations:
Intact corneal sensations will ensure that if ptosis is over corrected, the corneal blink reflex will
prevent (to an extent) corneal exposure damage
e. Jaw Winking:
Jaw winking occurs due to a misdirection of cranial nerves. If jaw winking is positive it indicates
ptosis is not caused by a defective levator muscle
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
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XII: OCULAR ALIGNMENT
1. Prerequisites
a. Torch
b. Occluder (Can be made out of paper folded into a triangle)
c. Well lit room
*Ocular alignment & its examination is a challenge not only for graduates but even trained
ophthalmologist! Do not be discouraged if you have trouble getting into grips with its finer points!
*The technical term for ‘squint’ is strabismus
2& 3. Greeting /Consent & Explanation
اسالم علیکم-
. ہے--------------------- میرا نام ڈاکٹر-
. آج میں ٹارچ کی مدد سے آپ کی آنکھ کا معائنہ کروں گا-
. اس دوران میں آپ کی آنکھ کو سامنے سے بند کروں گا-
اگر معائنے کے دوران آپ کو درد یا تکلیف ہو تو براہ کرم مجھے بتائیں-
کیا آپ اس کے لئے اجازت دیتے ہیں؟-
4. Command
a. Make sure he is seated comfortably
b. Ask the patient to look at a distance target
c. Also ask the patient if he has any diplopia (double vision)
5. Procedure
Two tests of ocular alignment will be performed.
a. Corneal reflection test (Hirschberg’s test)
b. Cover & Un-cover test
a. Corneal reflection test:
i. Shine the light, centered at the bridge of the nose of the patient
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ii. Notice the location of the reflection of the light in the cornea in relation to the center of the
pupil. (See figure below).
iii. If no squint is present the reflection will be centered on the pupil. If squint is present the
reflection will be off-set from the center of the pupil.
iv. Make a mental note of the distance between the off-set light reflex and center of the pupil (see
the figure below).
v. Repeat the test by asking the patient to look at an object about a foot from the bridge of the
nose of the patient.
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Repeat this test by covering the other eye
6. Interpretation
a. Corneal Reflection Test:
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b. The ptosis is not due to a problem with muscle or nerve defect
ii. If the eye does not move, it implies that:
a. This eye has poor visual capacity (unless the patient also complained of diplopia, see below).
AND/ OR
b. This eye is squinting due to a defect in nerve and/ or muscle function.
The uncover part of the test will help you figure this out
iii. If the uncovered eye has no obvious squint, proceed to uncover part of the test
iv. If the patient complains of diplopia with both eyes open and has an obvious (manifest) squint
it almost always implies that the squint is due to a muscle and/or nerve defect
Uncover Test:
i. Notice the behavior of the occluded eye as the cover is removed.
ii. The eye does not move at all. This implies the eye did not have any hidden (latent) squint
iii. The eye makes a ‘corrective’ movement medially. This implies that behind the cover the eye
had moved laterally and had to ‘correct’ its alignment by moving medially. This shows a latent
squint (Exophoria)
iv. Please read the Interpretation of Cover test #ii (the eye does not move). Assume this to be the
case in this instance. The eye behind the cover will:
a. Deviate in the direction of the squint (in the squinting eye). This is called ‘secondary’ deviation
b. This deviation will be more than the deviation of the squinting eye.
c. This is a typical appearance of a paralytic squint.
Try and figure out why this happens, keeping in mind the neural control of eye movements.
Performing extra-ocular movements (with the permission of the examiner) in patients of squint
can also identify muscular deficits. But they can be misleading in long standing squints. (Again
try and figure this out, considering what happens to muscles that remain in a contracted state for
long periods of time)
Terminology related to Latent (hidden) squint:
1. Eye behind the cover turned laterally = Exophoria
2. Eye behind the cover turned medially = Esophoria
3. Eye behind the cover turned upwards = Hyperphoria
4. Eye behind the cover turned downwards = Hypphoria
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Note the phrasing. The positions referred to are the positions of the eye, not the corrective (see #iii
Uncover test) movement they make!
7. Conclusion
a. Describe patient’s findings& its implications to him and/ or the examiner
b. Thank the patient
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CHECK LISTS FOR CLINICAL SKILLS
Sr No Item Yes No
– Takes consent
152
II. CHECK LIST FOR NEAR ACUITY
Sr No Item Yes No
– Takes consent
– Give him the near vision chart and ask him to hold it
WHERE HE WANTS TO READ FROM (& NOT WHERE
HE CAN READ FROM!)
153
III& IV: CHECK LIST FOR EYE EXAMINATION WITH A TORCH
Sr No Item Yes No
– Takes consent
– Gives clear commands to the patient
– Examines brows
– Examines lids (open and closed)
– Examines naso-lacrimal area
– Examines conjunctiva by moving the eye ball in 4 quadrants;
proper command and exposure
– Examines cornea
– Examines Anterior chamber/ depth
– Examines shape of pupil
– Examines status of Lens/ pseudophakia/ aphakia
– Uses hand sanitizer before and after touching the patient
154
V: CHECK LIST FOR PUPILLARY EXAMINATION
Sr # Item Yes No
- Greeting & Introduction
- Consent & Explain patient what he/ she is going to check
- Instructs patient to look at a distance
- Stands at the side
- Inspects the pupil in light
- Asks to dim the lights
- Performs pupillary reaction in dim light / dark room
- Checks
1. Direct reflex in both eyes separately
2. Consensual or both eyes (uses dim torch at chin and bright
torch for eye)
3. Relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD)
4. Near reflex
- Describes correct findings
- Shows professional and empathic attitude towards patient
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VI: CHECK LIST FOR CONFRONTATION VISUAL FIELDS
Sr # Item Yes No
2 – Takes consent
5 – Asks the patient if he/ she can see the target prior to beginning of test.
– Uses the appropriate side of eye (right for right and vice versa.)
156
VII: CHECK LIST FOR REGURGITATION TEST
Sr # Item Yes No
- Examinee Greets and introduces him/ herself to patient.
- Observes area
- Describes findings
157
VIII: CHECK LIST FOR DIGITAL TONOMETRY
Sr # Item Yes No
- Examinee Greets and introduces him/ herself to patient.
- Observes area
- Describes findings
158
IX: CHECK LIST FOR EXTRA-OCULAR MOVEMENTS
Sr # Item Yes No
– Greets and introduces him/ herself to patient.
– Takes consent
– Gives clear commands to the patient to follow the specific point on the
target.
– Do not use finger as a target.
– Shows target at or beyond 33cm./ Sits at appropriate distance
– Makes sure patient is not moving his head.
– Checks Versions in 9 diagnostic positions of gaze.
- Horizontal movements
- Vertical movements
- Oblique movements
– Checks convergence and divergence
– Checks saccades if asked to (horizontal and vertical)
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X: CHECK LIST FOR DISTANT-DIRECT AND DIRECT OPHTHALMOSCOPY
Sr # Item Yes No
– Greets and introduces him/ herself to patient.
– Takes consent especially mentions about dim light
– Identifies and uses the correct instrument
– Gives clear commands to the patient to look at the distance.
– Asks to dim the lights
DIRECT OPHTHALMOSCOPY:
– Asks and corrects for patient’s / own distant refractive correction in
Ophthalmoscope (if required).
– Uses the appropriate side/ hand/ eye
– Follows the light into the eye
– Gets close enough to get a view
– Focuses separately for disc and macula
– Uses hand sanitizer before and after touching the patient/ instrument
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XI: CHECK LIST PTOSIS EXAMINATION
Sr # Item Yes No
– Takes consent
patient
161
XII: CHECK LIST OCULAR ALIGNMENT
Sr # Item Yes No
– Takes consent
– Gives clear commands to the patient to look at either near or far target.
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APPENDIX I
Fundus Angiogram
163
A Scan of Eye
B Scan Ultrasound
164
Humphrey Visual Fields
Corneal Topograph
165