Ophthalmic Education:

International Curriculum Guidelines on Medical Student Education in Ophthalmology: 6. Lens & Cataract

On this page:

• i) ANATOMY OF LENS*
  
  
• ii) SYMPTOMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CATARACT*
  
  
• iii) EXAMINATION OF THE LENS BY DIRECT OPHTHALMOSCOPY*
  
  
• iv) ABNORMAL LENS FEATURES BY DIRECT OPHTHALMOSCOPY
  
  
• v) TREATMENT OF CATARACT
  
  
• vi) WHEN TO REFER PATIENT TO AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST**
  
  
• Competencies*
  
  
• Educational Priorities

The International Council of Ophthalmology Task Force on Medical Student Education in Ophthalmology

Draft, September 16, 2003

I. ANATOMY OF LENS*

1. Intraocular location of lens behind plane of iris
   
2. Optical clarity of normal lens
   
3. Suspension of normal lens in retroiridic position by zonule

II. SYMPTOMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CATARACT*

1. Slowly progressive blurring of vision
   
2. Progressive painless loss of vision

III. EXAMINATION OF THE LENS BY DIRECT OPHTHALMOSCOPY*

1. Evaluation of red reflex

IV. ABNORMAL LENS FEATURES BY DIRECT OPHTHALMOSCOPY

1. General*
   
   1. Loss of normal red reflex
      
   2. Dark spots in red reflex
      
   3. Abnormal color of red reflex
2. Lens abnormalities found in important systemic diseases**
   
   1. Marfan?s syndrome ? spontaneous dislocation of lens
3. Lens abnormalities found in important ocular diseases**
   
   1. Cataract (clouding or opacification of lens)
      
   2. Implanted artificial intraocular lens

V. TREATMENT OF CATARACT

1. Surgical removal of lens (cataract extraction)***
   
2. Implantation of artificial lens in eye***

VI. WHEN TO REFER PATIENT TO AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST **

1. Examination reveals abnormal red reflex or lens clouding or opacity
   
2. Patient reports progressive visual loss or blurring

Competencies*

• Student should
  • Understand the anatomy of lens**
    
  • Describe presbyopia ? definition and symptoms**
    
  • Diagnose cataract*
    • definition and symptoms*
      
    • red reflex*
      
    • slit lamp findings***
  • Understand important of lens dislocation***
    
  • Describe management of cataract ***
    
    • surgery
      
    • intraocular lens

Educational Priorities

In the listing above, essential ophthalmic knowledge and clinical eye care skills are marked with a single asterisk *. This material is basic for all international medical student education.

Information that reflects a greater level of understanding is marked with two asterisks**.

Areas of cognitive and clinical skills that are more appropriate for students who seek further training in ophthalmology are marked with three asterisks***.

While important to ophthalmic care, the Task Force does not regard the cognitive or skill set designated ** or *** as essential to the basic curriculum of most international medical students.

Next: 7. Eyelid, Lacrimal and Orbit

Also see:

• Introduction to the "International Curriculum Guidelines on Medical Student Education in Ophthalmology"
  
  
• Table of Contents for the Curriculum
  
  
• Education of Medical Students in Ophthalmology