3. Red Eye Flashcards
On presentation of a red eye what should be recorded in the Hx?
- Onset (most important, was it chronic/acute)
- Visual changes
- Trauma/ contact lens use
- Photophobia
- Pain
- Discharge
- History of medical illness
List Ddx studied for the Red Eye?
Conjunctivitis/ Blepharitis (Most common, viral, bacterial or allergic) Corneal abrasion/ Foreign body (Very common +/- pain) Subconjunctival haemorrhage Keratitis/ corneal ulcer Uveitis (Important diagnosis to make) Acute glaucoma (Presents with pain) Chemical burn Scleritis
What is the most common cause of red eye?
Conjunctivitis
What are the signs of acute conjunctivitis?
- Red eye (conjunctival hyperaemia)
- Discharge
- Eye lid sticking
Which is more common bacterial or viral conjunctivitis?
Viral, bacterial less common
Which is more contagious, viral or bacterial conjunctivitis?
Bacterial
What are the signs of acute viral conjunctivitis?
Inferior palpebral conjunctival follicles
Tender palpable lymph node
Watery discharge/ pseudomembrane (more so with viral, if you lift the formed membrane no blood)
Punctate keratopathy
Infection in the cornea will cause extreme pain.
Recent upper respiratory tract infection
What is the Tx for viral conjunctivitis?
- Can try antihistamines first. (Oxford) if not…
- Treat with steroids (C/I in bacterial CJ)
- Usually self-limiting within to 2 weeks but if in cornea can take months to years
In whom is bacterial conjunctivitis more common?
Children
What are the hallmarks of bacterial conjunctivitis?
Green discharge which can cause corneal infiltration.
Membranous CJ - Bleeds when membrane lifted
What are the common bacteria that cause conjunctivitis?
Staphylococci
Streptococcus Pneumonia
Haemophilis influenza
In sexually active person
Neisseria gonorrhoeae (which is hyperacute)
Chlamydial infection
What is the Tx for Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Supportive:
• Frequent hand washing (Highly contagious)
• Artificial tears, cold compresses, antibiotics sometimes (conservative to super bugs)
Topical antibiotic therapy
If no improvement in 2 weeks time: take a swab to rule out chlamydia or gonococcal infection.
What are the signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?
- History of allergies (Asthma, Eczema)
- Itching
- Water
- Chemosis (swelling)
- Red oedematous eye lids
- Conjunctival papillae (cobblestone, since swelling + attachment at base (>5mm diameter)
- No lymph nodes enlargement
What is the Tx for allergic conjunctivitis?
- Cool compresses
- Artificial tears
- Oral antihistamine
Large conjunctival papillae, shield ulcer, history of allergies, seasonal?
Vernal Conjunctivitis
What is keratitis?
Inflammation of the cornea
What are the characteristic of bacterial keratitis?
Red Eye Pain (very) Decreased vision Photophobia Discharge NB=History of contact lens or trauma
What are the signs of bacterial peritonitis on exam?
Focal white opacity (fluid level collection over plates)
If there is epithelial defect, stain with fluorescein=ulcer
Discharge
Anterior chamber cells & hypopyon (yellowish exudate in Acham
What are the most common bacteria causing keratitis?
- Staphylococcus
- Streptococcus
- Pseudomonas (>60yo)
- Morexella
What is the Tx for Bacterial keratitis?
- Corneal scrapings
- Contact lens & case culture (must change contact lenses anyway)
- Topical hourly drops: fluoroquinolone
- Or Ceftazidime + Vancomycin