Carmín Gómez 19-1501

STUDY GUIDE 16 “HEALTHY EYES AND EARS”

1- Describe the function of the following terms.

a) Lens: The lens is located in the eye. By changing its shape, the lens changes the
focal distance of the eye. In other words, it focuses the light rays that pass
through it (and onto the retina) in order to create clear images of objects that are
positioned at various distances.
b) Cornea: The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris,
pupil, and anterior chamber.
c) Retina: The retina is the innermost, light-sensitive layer of tissue of the eye of
most vertebrates and some molluscs. The optics of the eye create a focused two-
dimensional image of the visual world on the retina, which translates that image
into electrical neural impulses to the brain to create visual perception. The retina
serves a function analogous to that of the film or image sensor in a camera.
d) Sclera: the white outer layer of the eyeball. At the front of the eye it is
continuous with the cornea. Is the opaque, fibrous, protective, outer layer of the
human eye containing mainly collagen and some elastic fiber.

2- Identify and describe 3 diseases of the eyes.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the physical disturbance of the center
of the retina called the macula.
Bulging Eyes
Bulging eyes, or proptosis, occurs when one or both eyes protrude from the eye
sockets due to space taking lesions such as swelling of the muscles, fat, and tissue
behind the eye.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a degenerative form of eye disease in which the lens gradually
becomes opaque and vision mists over.

3- How can we protect our eyes?

 Eat Well
 Quit Smoking
 Wear Sunglasses
 Use Safety Eyewear
 Look Away From the Computer Screen

4- How can we protect our ears?

Carmín Gómez 19-1501

 Use earplugs around loud noises

 Turn the volume down
 Give your ears time to recover
 Stop using cotton swabs in your ears
 Take medications only as directed
 Keep your ears dry
 Manage stress levels
 Get regular checkups

5- Define: earache – otoscope – otolaryngologist

Earache can be a sharp, dull or burning ear pain that comes and goes or is constant.
One or both ears may be affected.

An otoscope or auriscope is a medical device which is used to look into the ears.
Health care providers use otoscopes to screen for illness during regular check-ups
and also to investigate ear symptoms. An otoscope potentially gives a view of the
ear canal and tympanic membrane or eardrum.

Otolaryngology is a medical specialty which is focused on the ears, nose, and throat.
It is also called otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

6- What is the difference between ophthalmologist and optician?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who can perform medical and surgical
interventions for eye conditions. An optician is a professional who can help fit
eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision-correcting devices.

7- Define:
a) Astigmatism: Astigmatism is a common vision problem caused by an error in
the shape of the cornea.
b) Bell’s palsy: Bell's Palsy is the sudden onset of unilateral temporary paralysis of
facial muscles resulting from seventh cranial nerve dysfunction.
c) Blepharitis: Blepharitis, an inflammatory condition of the eyelid margin, is a
common cause of ocular discomfort and irritation in all age and ethnic groups.

8- Write (T) for true and (F) for false.

a) ___V___ Treatment may help prevent scarring on your eyes.
b) ___V___ Flashes of light and floating spots are classic warning signs of a
detached retina.
c) ___V___ Damage to the eye’s retina due to diabetes.
Carmín Gómez 19-1501

d) ___V___ Ocular herpes is a recurrent viral infection that may lead to serious
vision loss.
e) ___F___ Glaucoma never damages the optic nerve and diminishes the field of
vision.
f) ___V___ Accidents cause many kinds of eye injuries, from corneal scratches to
penetrating wounds.
g) ___V___ The Strabismus Surgery procedures adjust eye muscles to straighten
misaligned eyes.
h) ___V___ The risk of cataracts increases with age.
i) ___F___ Red eyes cannot be caused by allergies, eye infections and eye injuries.

9- Write the number to the correct definition. Use the word bank.

Word Bank: 1- iris, 2- lens, 3- optic nerve, 4- pupil, 5- retina, 6- sclera, 7- anterior
chamber, 8- aqueous humor, 9- choroid, 10- cornea, 11- fovea, 12- vitreous humor.
a) __ anterior chamber ____ The fluid-filled space inside the eye between the iris
and the cornea. It is filled with aqueous humor.
b) __ aqueous humor ____ The clear fluid behind the cornea; provides eye
nourishment.
c) __choroid____ A vascular layer (includes blood vessels) of the eye containing
connective tissues; it is located between the sclera and the retina.
d) ___Cornea___ The clear portion of the eye through which light enters.
e) ___Fovea___ A part of the eye located in the center of the retina that is
responsible for sharp central vision, which is so important in humans for
reading, watching, driving or any activity in which visual detail is important.
f) ___iris___ The color part of the eye; a muscle that controls the pupil size.
g) __lens____ A structure that changes shape to focus light so that we can see
clearly; located directly behind the iris.
h) ___ optic nerve ___ A cranial nerve connected to the eye socket that transmits
visual information from the retina to the brain.
i) __pupil____ A hole in the iris.
j) __retina____ The lining on the inside of the back of the eye that contains two
types of light-sensitive cells: rods and cones.
k) ___sclera___ The tough, white, outer covering of the eye.
l) ____ vitreous humor __ A clear gel behind the lens, inside the eye.

10- Label the picture of the eye.

Carmín Gómez 19-1501

Retina
Ciliary body
Optic disc area
Cornea

Pupil Central artery and vein of

the retina

Aquesous humor
Suspensory ligament

Lens sclera Choroid