Glaucoma: The Daily PANCE Blueprint
A 72-year-old male presents to the clinic. He is complaining of problems seeing out of the “corners of his eyes.” Upon review of his medications, you note he has been taking chronic high-dose steroids for years. Which of the following does this put him at risk for?
A. Glaucoma
B. Papilledema
C. Central retinal vein occlusion
D. Retinal detachment
E. Macular degeneration
Answer and topic summary
The answer is A. Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that are defined by damage to the optic nerve (+/- increased intraocular pressure). The 2 main types are open-closure (more common) and angle-closure. Risk factors of open-angle glaucoma include older age, family history, myopia, diabetes, medications (steroids), and eye injury/inflammation. Clinical features of open glaucoma include progressive visual field loss; patients are usually asymptomatic though. As the optic nerve atrophies, it leads to a cupped optic disc (cup-to-disc ratio >0.6) and optic disc pallor. Treatment of open-angle glaucoma includes prostaglandin eye drops, laser trabeculoplasty, and even surgical trabeculectomy.
View blueprint lesson
Smarty PANCE Content Blueprint Review:
Covered under ⇒ PANCE Blueprint EENT ⇒ ⇒
Also covered as part of the Emergency Medicine EOR, Family Medicine EOR, and Internal Medicine EOR topic lists
