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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
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MCW Ophthalmic Case Studies For Medical Students

This is a collection of case studies to help you get an insight on the typical history and initial examination of various ophthalmic disorders. The discussion, although brief, is intended to give you a simple overview of each disease. Feel free to contact our team, with any questions regarding the cases.

Students at Desk

Disclaimer for Our Patients

Although these cases provide a little information on the typical presentation of various ophthalmic diseases it should not replace a personal consultation with an ophthalmologist or other eye care provider. If you are having any problems with your vision, feel free to call (414) 955-2020 and make an appointment to see any of us. We would be delighted to see you.

Objectives

After thoroughly reviewing these case studies, the learner will be able to:

  • Recognize and describe the typical presentation of common conditions affecting the anterior and posterior segments of the eye
  • Consider a range of multiple etiologies when examining patients with eye or vision problems, including trauma, infection, congenital abnormalities, autoimmunity, vascular issues, metabolic deficiencies, and environmental causes
  • Recall the basic pathophysiology underlying numerous ophthalmic conditions
  • Evaluate the significance of clinical findings in relation to common ophthalmic diseases
  • Formulate a differential diagnosis after reviewing the patient’s history and ocular exam
  • Identify which laboratory tests or exams are appropriate to confirm and evaluate specific ophthalmic diagnoses
  • Discuss therapeutic options and treatment plans for a number of acute and chronic ophthalmic diseases

Ophthalmic Case Study Abbreviations

This is a list of abbreviations used in the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Web-Based Ophthalmic Case Studies. It is by no means a comprehensive list of all abbreviations used in the field of ophthalmology.
all
Abbreviations List
AMD Age-related macular degeneration
APD Afferent pupillary defect
AREDS Age-related eye disease study
cc With refractive correction
CC Chief complaint
CDR Cup-to-disc ratio
CNS Central nervous system
CNV Choroidal neovascularization
CRP C-reactive protein
CRVO Central retinal vein occlusion
CT Computed tomography
DFE Dilated fundus examination
DM Diabetes mellitus
ED Emergency department
EOM Extraocular muscle
ESR Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
FA Fluorescein angiogram
FHx Family history
GCA Giant cell arteritis
GI Gastrointestinal
HgA1c HemoglobinA1c
HPI History of present illness
hrs Hours
Hx History
INR International normalized ratio
IOP Intraocular pressure
IV Intravenous
L Left mmHg
Millimeters of mercury
MRI Magnetic resonance imaging
NI No improvement
NPDR Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy
NSAID Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NVD Neovascularization of the disc
OCT Optical coherence tomography
OD Right eye
OS Left eye
OU Both eyes
PC-IOL Posterior chamber intraocular lens
PDR Proliferative diabetic retinopathy
PH Pinhole
Phaco Phacoemulsification
POAG Primary open angle glaucoma
ppd Packs per day
prn As needed
R Right
RD Retinal detachment
ROS Review of systems
RPE Retinal pigment epithelium
s/p Status post
STD Sexually transmitted disease
sxs Symptoms
TSH Thyroid stimulating hormone
URI Upper respiratory infection
VA Visual acuity
VDRL Venereal disease research laboratory test
VEGF Vascular endothelial growth factor
VH Vitreous hemorrhage
yrs Years

Medical College of Wisconsin Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Case Studies

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