VT Eye: Retina Pathology Identification
Pathology
This flashcard deck was designed for use with the VT Eye, a 3D-printed model eye for learning and practicing ophthalmic exams. The flashcards are meant to be displayed at the back of the model using the 3D-printed smartphone attachment. Images were obtained from RetinaRocks.org
Sample Data
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| Text | What pathology is shown in this photo?{{c1::Inferior Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)}} |
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| Notes | While retinal artery occlusions result from embolic disease, the precise mechanism of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is less clear. Histologic studies show that the vein is often affected at a point of crossing with a retinal artery. The two vessels share an adventitial layer, and it is believed that their close proximity results in transmission of pressure from the arterial vessel against the venous vessel. This would compress the vein, cause turbulence and possibly endothelial damage, ultimately tending to promote clot formation. There are likely other vascular anatomic abnormalities that promote retinal vein occlusion, but this is poorly understood. The main risk factors are age, systemic hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and elevated BMI. Younger patients with vein occlusions (< 50 years) should be checked for hypercoagulable pathology. An occlusion results in impaired venous drainage in the affected territory, distention and breakdown of vessels, widespread bleeding, and ultimately retinal ischemia. As in the case of an artery occlusion, the result is painless vision loss. Whereas an artery occlusion yields a characteristic swollen, whitish appearance (see section VI, above), a vein occlusion yields hemorrhagic swelling.The effect of vein occlusions on vision is variable, depending upon the extent of ischemia. In general, vision loss is much less profound than in the case of artery occlusions, and there is a definite period of visual recovery in the weeks following a vein occlusion, as the hemorrhage and edema resolve. The injury from an artery occlusion tends to be permanent; in the case of a vein occlusion, many cases achieve significant healing and thus retinal recovery. When a BRVO spares the fovea, the central acuity can remain quite good, with most patients achieving vision of 20/40 of better. In larger BRVOs, and in most CRVOs, patients suffer moderate to severe vision loss. The most important complication of a vein occlusion stems from the problem of retinal ischemia. As in the case of diabetic retinopathy, the ischemic retina releases VEG-F. Depending upon the extent of BRVO or CRVO, there is a significant risk of neovascularization. Between 20 and 50% of patients with CRVO will develop neovascularization. Whereas diabetic neovascularization is especially destructive to the retina (discussed in detail in section IV, above), neovascularization from vein occlusions occurs more commonly in the anterior segment, causing neovascularization of the iris (NVI). The pictures below show NVI. |
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| Text | What pathology is shown in this photo that could potentially lead to retinal detachment?{{c1::Fibrovascular traction and retinal injury}} |
| Pathology | This is a patient with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy |
| Extra | Note that the retina and blood vessels are pulled completely out of position. |
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| Text | What vitreous pathology is shown in this photo?{{c1::Weiss ring; seen in PVD}} |
| Pathology | This patient has a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD). This patient also has Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) |
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