Lecture Objectives
At the end of this lecture, you should be able to:
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Be able to describe the neurotransmitters involved in eyelid movements, and characterize the purpose and types of blinking. Explain tear production and how it is regulated.
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Be able to explain the processes of refraction and accomodation as they apply to transmission of light to the retina. Define the following refractive errors: cataracts, hyperopia, myopia, presbyopia and astigmatism.
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Describe the processes of mydriasis and miosis, including the neurotransmitters involved.
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Explain how the aqueous humor is formed and drains, and outline control mechanisms for each part of the process. Detail the differences between closed angle and open angle glaucoma.
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Compare and contrast the physiology of rods and cones. Relate the physiological differences between rods to the different forms of visual acuity. Differentiate between retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa.
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List the steps in phototransduction, including the properties of the receptor potential.
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Describe the visual cycle, and understand the perturbations that occur to this process during vitamin A deficiency and macular degeneration.