THE EYE AND EAR AT A GLANCE

OPHTHALMOLOGY THE STUDY OF THE EYE

• The eye is a well known organ commonly known as one of our 6 senses.

• The eye provides a vision of objects and color.

• Despite it’s size there are many departments that play an important part to it’s functions.

• Major departments are the eyeball, muscles of the eye, eyelids, conjunctiva and lacrimal apparatus.

MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS IN OPHTHALMOLOGYLeft eye- OS Right eye-ODOculus (eye) Sinister (left) Oculus (eye) Dexter (right)

Extraocular Movement (EOM)Extra = outside of ocul/o = eye -ar = pertaining to

These movements all pertain to the muscles of the eyes:

-Oblique muscles- 2 muscles that are on angle and produce

diagonal eye movement.

-Rectus muscles- meaning straight pull the eye up and down.

Extraocular movement is tested by having the patient follow and

object with their eyes without moving their head. They are being

tested to see if they experience any blurred or double vision.

VISUAL ACUITY(VA)

A basic well known eye examination is the Visual Acuity also abbreviated VA. VA test the sharpness of a patient’s vision in how well they can see in regards distance.

• A common tool in this examination is the Snellen Chart.

• 20/20- means you can see at a normal average standard range from

20 feet away. 6/6 will be in meters for a normal average standard

vision range.

Emmetropia (EM) is the state of normal vision.

Emmetr/o = correct, proper -opia = vision condition

EXOTROPIA(XT)

Exo- = inward -tropia = turned condition

Exotropia is the outward turning of the eye; also called wall-eyed.

• Exotropia is commonly cause by strabismus which is muscle weakness of the eye.

• Exotropia accounts for 25% of all ocular misalignment in early childhood.

• Most commonly seen in 1-4 years of age.

• Examinations to diagnosed are VA, Cycloplegic refraction, Retina examination, external or slit lamp exam and complete eye exam.

• Treatment can involve medication, therapy and surgery.

OTOLOGY (OTO) THE STUDY OF THE EAR

• The ear is another well known organ that is also part of our 6 sense.

• The ear is responsible for two senses the hearing and equilibrium.

• Hearing and equilibrium sensory information is carried to the brain by the vestibulocochlear nerve.

The ear is subdivided in to three areas:

1. External ear

2. Middle ear

3. Inner ear

MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS OF THE EAR

• The human body consist of two ears. When referred together they’re abbreviated AU.

Bone conduction (BC) is the sound conduction through the bones of the skull.

• There are two types of bone conduction recognized:

1. Compressional bone conduction which are high

pitched sounds that cause the segments of the skull to

vibrate individually.

2. Inertial bone conduction are low pitched sounds

that vibrate the entire skull.

• Abnormal BC can cause conductive hearing lost.

-Example of a BC surgical procedure is cochlear implant where a mechanical device is surgically placed under the skin behind the outer ear (pinna) that converts sound signals into magnetic pulses.

OTIS MEDIA(OM)

Ot/o = ear -itis = inflammation

• Otis media is very common in children but it can be seen in any age.

• Commonly referred to as a middle ear infection.

• Often preceded by an upper respiratory infection

during which pathogens move from the pharynx to

the middle ear via the Eustachian tube.

• Fluid accumulates in the middle ear cavity.

• Common symptoms are fever, headaches, irritation, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

• Otoscopy examination of the ear canal, ear drum and outer ear using an otoscope is the standard examination for OM

• Antibiotics are used to treat OM.

PE TUBEPRESSURE EQUALIZING TUBE

PE tube is a small tube surgically placed in a child’s eardrum to assist in drainage of trapped fluid and to equalize pressure between the middle ear cavity and the atmosphere.

EENTEYES, EARS, NOSE &THROAT

The eyes, ears, nose and throat are interconnected organs.

We commonly feel and see their connection under a cold.

-The eyes can be watery, ears can feel blocked or a buzz in some cases earaches

are present and can lead or be symptoms of a ear infection or sore throat. The nose can experience high volume of mucus increase.

In the case of seasonal allergies we can see

the nose and eyes interact with constantly

Sneezing and runny watery eyes.