Stag-horn calculi composed of Struvite (ammonium magnesium phosphate, triple phosphate) form in alkaline urine (ammonia producing bacteria such as Ureaplasma urealyticum and Proteus therefore predispose) Renal stones: imaging The table below summarises the appearance of different types of renal stone …
Central retinal vein occlusion – sudden painless loss of vision, severe retinal haemorrhages on fundoscopy Sudden painless loss of vision The most common causes of a sudden painless loss of vision are as follows: ischaemic optic neuropathy (e.g. temporal arteritis …
Primary open-angle glaucoma: management The majority of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma are managed with eye drops. These aim to lower intra-ocular pressure which in turn has been shown to prevent progressive loss of visual field. Medication Mode of action …
Posterior vitreous detachment is thought to occur in up to 50-75% of the population over 65 years and is the most likely diagnosis here. Such patients are normally reviewed by an ophthalmologist to assess the risk of progressing to retinal …
The history of diabetes, complete loss of vision in the affected eye and inability to visualise the retina point towards a diagnosis of vitreous haemorrhage. Please see the table below for help in differentiating retinal detachment from vitreous haemorrhage. Sudden …
Horner’s syndrome Features miosis (small pupil) ptosis enophthalmos* (sunken eye) anhydrosis (loss of sweating one side) Distinguishing between causes heterochromia (difference in iris colour) is seen in congenital Horner’s anhydrosis: see below Central lesions Pre-ganglionic lesions Post-ganglionic lesions Anhydrosis of …
Cotton wool spots are seen in pre-proliferative retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in adults aged 35-65 years-old. Hyperglycaemia is thought to cause increased retinal blood flow and abnormal metabolism in the retinal vessel …
Sudden painless loss of vision The most common causes of a sudden painless loss of vision are as follows: ischaemic optic neuropathy (e.g. temporal arteritis or atherosclerosis) occlusion of central retinal vein occlusion of central retinal artery vitreous haemorrhage retinal …
Flashes and floaters – vitreous/retinal detachment Flashes and floaters are symptoms of vitreous detachment. The patient is at risk of retinal detachment and should be referred urgently to an ophthalmologist Sudden painless loss of vision The most common causes of …
Horner’s syndrome – anhydrosis determines site of lesion: head, arm, trunk = central lesion: stroke, syringomyelia just face = pre-ganglionic lesion: Pancoast’s, cervical rib absent = post-ganglionic lesion: carotid artery Horner’s syndrome Features miosis (small pupil) ptosis enophthalmos* (sunken eye) …