Ophthalmology

Floppy iris syndrome: A drug-related complication of cataract surgery

Elizabeth “Fizzy” Ramsey, MS, PA-C, Barton L. Ramsey III, MD; Jennifer Childers, MS, PA-C May 07, 2012

Older patients who are about to undergo cataract removal should be asked to provide a complete medication history, one that includes drugs no longer being taken.

Intermittent headaches relieved by lying down

Jason C. Fowler, MPAS, PA-C, Mark Casteel, MD; Peter White, MD April 29, 2011

The patient was growing depressed that attempts at pain relief, including therapy for migraine headache and chiropractic care, failed to relieve her month-long symptoms.

What is the cause of this floater in a patient's eye?

Major Shawn T. Buller, APA-C, MPH March 15, 2011

A US Army helicopter pilot deployed in Iraq presents with a troubling loss of peripheral vision and describes seeing a crescent-shaped black spot.

Swelling of the eye and light sensitivity in a patient struck in the face by a wakeboard

Erin Mucker, Michael Suprenant; Barbara Piccirillo, MS, RPA-C, DFAAPA February 25, 2011

The patient brushed off the mishap until friends noted ocular swelling and drooping of the right eyelid.

Ciliary injection: A differential diagnosis for the patient with acute red eye

Samuel Powdrill, MPhil, PA-C  December 02, 2010

A case report helps demonstrate how to make an accurate diagnosis in patients presenting with this challenging ocular manifestation.

A rare combination of uveitis, salivary gland swelling, and cranial nerve palsy in a febrile woman

Jason Evanchan, DO; Timothy J. Barreiro, DO, FCCP, FACOI; David Gemmel, PhD May 17, 2010

Bilateral swollen parotid glands trigger an evaluation and imaging studies that uncover ocular, neurologic, and pulmonary abnormalities.

A review of giant cell arteritis and chronic renal disease

Amy M. Klingler, MS, PA-C January 29, 2010

Clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment for an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels in the head and kidney disease are discussed.

Beyond the red reflex: Examining the eye with an ophthalmoscope

Samuel Powdrill, MPhil, PA-C October 05, 2009

This versatile clinical tool has changed little since its humble beginnings. The use and care of the ophthalmoscope is reviewed.

Knee pain and an abnormal radiograph in a skier

Brian Downie, ATC, PA-C, MS February 20, 2009

The patient is a 20-year-old male who fell while downhill skiing. After returning home, he presented to our orthopedic clinic with continued complaints of lateral knee pain, swelling, and a sense of weakness.

How to diagnose the acute red eye with confidence

CPT Michael Roscoe MS, MPAS, PA-C; CPT Timothy Landis, OD March 01, 2006

You can identify and treat many types of conjunctivitis, but you should always know when referral is needed to preserve the patients vision and, in some instances, the patients life.

A PA experiences a nonproductive cough and wheezing, followed by visual disturbance

Christopher Hanifin, MSPA, PA-C; Garikiparthy Jyothirmayi, PhD November 01, 2005

The patient is a middle-aged female PA student who developed a nonproductive cough during her surgical rotation. Her physician noted that she was wheezing and started her on an antibiotic, an antihistamine, and prednisone (10 mg twice daily). While the patient was assisting at surgery 3 days later, she noted sudden, painless blurring of central vision in her left eye.

Vision screening of young children: Taking a second look

Susan Martin Dubowy, PA-C August 01, 2005

There is controversy over the best ways to detect and treat amblyopia. Considering evidence from the latest research could be the first step in decreasing the preventable loss of vision.