University of Central Florida (UCF) HSC4558 Pathophysiology II Final Practice Exam

In the context of your question regarding conditions that may require monitoring for potential surgical intervention if vision deteriorates, cataracts are indeed a key condition to consider. Cataracts typically develop slowly and are characterized by the clouding of the natural lens of the eye, leading to a gradual decline in vision quality.

When cataracts progress to a point where they significantly interfere with daily activities—such as reading, driving, or other visual tasks—surgical intervention may become necessary. The standard treatment for cataracts is phacoemulsification surgery, where the cloudy lens is removed and usually replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. Therefore, it is essential to monitor the progression of cataracts and assess their impact on vision regularly, as the decision for surgery is heavily influenced by the degree of visual impairment.

Conditions such as open-angle glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal tears also have specific treatment and monitoring guidelines. For example, open-angle glaucoma requires regular eye examinations and may involve medical management to control intraocular pressure. Age-related macular degeneration has various forms; while monitoring and certain treatments exist, the approach is different compared to cataracts. Retinal tears usually necessitate immediate intervention to prevent retinal detachment, but this is often more urgent than