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Ciliary Simulation

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As stated in the results section of this report, when viewing the conjunctival blood vessels in the limbal region, 10 minutes after the 2.5% phenylephrine had been instilled, there was a clear change seen. The tiny blood vessels in the limbal region previously seen relatively easily using the slit lamp had significantly decreased in quantity and were hard to identify at all. However, the peripheral blood vessels were still faintly visible.

The pharmacological basis for the observed changes is thought to be due to the eye drops constricting the tiny vessels. This thought is backed up by Muchnick, as he states that “topical decongestants, such as phenylephrine constrict conjunctival blood vessels.” This constricting action would lead to a decrease …show more content…

Another name given to this iritis associated condition is ciliary injection. Ciliary injection is the result of vasodilation occurring within the vessels located at the ciliary and scleroconjunctival circulations anastomose (Spalton, 1991). Ciliary injection may be another finding in this patient through the use of a slit lamp.

As previously stated in the results section of this report, if there is a breakdown of the blood-ocular barrier, the amount of proteins present within the aqueous humour will tend to increase. When viewing the anterior chamber with a slit lamp, this increase in protein content will result in light being scattered. Flare is the term given to the presence of this scattered light. Flare is a common symptom seen in acute iritis and therefore would likely be seen in this patient with the use of a slit lamp.

Rupesh et al suggests other symptoms associated with acute iritis may also include redness of the eye, which would be seen using the slit lamp. Another possible symptom of acute iritis seen with the slit lamp is a small or funny shaped pupil (Rupesh et al, …show more content…

These changes typically affect small blood vessels in the eye and compromise the blood-retinal barrier. When viewing the retina with the use of an ophthalmoscope or via retinal imaging, haemorrhages appearing as small red spots can be seen which are leaks in the blood vessels. Overtime these tiny leaks within the affected blood vessels create inflammation within the retina. As a result of these inflammatory processes, the retina releases angiogenic factors. Angiogenic factors include the production of new blood vessels within the eye. These new blood vessels don’t have tight junctions and are therefore extremely leaky. If diabetic retinopathy is not treated it can result in severe scarring on the retina which evidently gives reduction in

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