1. CHARACTERISTICS and TREATMENT OF COMMON SENSORY DISORDERS
SENSORY SYSTEM
CHARACTERISTICS and TREATMENT OF COMMON SENSORY DISORDERS

2. DISORDERS OF THE EYE Conjunctivitis Glaucoma Cataracts Sty Eye injury
Color blindness

3. CONJUNCTIVITIS Pink eye
Inflammation of conjunctival membranes in front of eye
Redness, pain, swelling and discharge
Highly contagious
Rx – antibiotic eye drops

4. GLAUCOMA
Excessive intraocular pressure causing destruction of the retina and atrophy of the optic nerve
Caused by the overproduction of aqueous humor, lack of drainage, or aging
Symptoms
Develop gradually, mild aching, loss of peripheral vision, halo around light
Tonometer
Measures intraocular pressure
Rx – drugs or laser surgery

5. CATARACTS Lens of eye gradually becomes cloudy
Frequently occurs in people over 70
Causes painful, gradual blurring and loss of vision
Rx – surgical removal of the lens
See figure 10-8 pg. 194

6. STY Hordeolum Abscess at the base of an eyelash in sebaceous gland
Symptoms – red, painful, swollen
Rx – warm, wet compresses
See figure pg. 195

7. EYE INJURY and COLOR BLINDNESS
Glass or fragment in eye
Rx: cover eye and seek medical help, do not remove the object
Color blindness
Cones affected
Genetic disorder that is carried by female and transmitted to males

8. VISION DEFECTS Presbyopia Hyperopia Myopia Astigmatism
Diplopia – double vision
Strabismus

9. PRESBYOPIA
Lens loses elasticity, can’t focus on close or distant objects
Usually after age 40
Rx – bifocals

10. HYPEROPIA Farsighted Focal point beyond retina, eyeball too short
Convex lenses help

11. MYOPIA
Nearsighted
Eyeball too long
Concave lenses help

12. ASTIGMATISM
Irregular curvature of the cornea or lens, causing blurred vision or eye strain
Rx – corrective lenses

13. STRABISMUS Cross-eyed Eye muscles to not coordinate their actions
Usually in children
Rx – eye exercises or surgery

14. TOOLS Ophthalmoscope Snellen eye chart
Instrument for viewing inside the eye
Snellen eye chart
Chart that uses letters or symbols in calibrated heights to check for vision defects

15. DISORDERS OF THE EAR Hearing loss Otitis Media Otosclerosis
Tinnitus – ringing of ears from impacted wax, otitis media, loud noise, etc.

16. HEARING LOSS
Hearing is fragile, loud noise over period of time can cause hearing loss
Symptoms – tinnitus (ringing in ears) and difficulty understanding what people are saying

17. OTITIS MEDIA Infection of middle ear
Often complication of common cold in children
Rx – antibiotics
Myringotomy
Tubes inserted through tympanic membrane to relieve pressure

18. OTOSCLEROSIS Chronic , progressive middle ear disorder
Stapes becomes spongy and then hardens, becoming fixed and immobile
Rx – stapedectomy (treatment of choice)
Total replacement of stapes

19. TYPES OF HEARING LOSS Conductive hearing loss Sensorineural damage
Sounds prevented from reaching inner ear
For example: wax, fluid, or abnormal bone growth
Sensorineural damage
Problem with inner ear and/or auditory nerve
Rx is cochlear implants for profound deafness

20. DISORDERS OF THE NOSE Rhinitis
Inflammation of lining of nose with congestion, drainage
Cause – allergies, drugs, infection, odors, etc.
Rx – eliminate cause, antihistamine