4- Ophthalmology (Red eye: painful: Antierior uveitis, scleritis, endopthalmitis, keratitis, abrasions and chemical injury)) Flashcards
List differentials for a PAINFUL red eye
- Glaucoma (+ RICP)
- Anterior uveitis
- Anterior scleritis
- Endopthalmitis
- Corneal abrasions and superfical foreign body
- Keratitis
- Foreign body
- Traumatic or chemical injury
anterior uveitis
- Inflammation in the anterior part of the uvea
- sight threatening
- acute anteiror (iris) is rthe most common subtype
- autoimmine
- can be chronic >months or acute
3 main layers of the eye
1) Sclera (Cornea)
2) Uvea (Iris, ciliary body, choroid)
3) Retina
Uvea (middle layer) involves the
Iris (anterior), ciliary body (intermediate) and the choroid (posterior)
- Choroid is the layer between the retina and sclera all the way around the eye
- Also know as iritis
- Acute anterior (iris) most common subtype of uveitis
what in acute anterior uveitis also known as
Iritis
Pathophysiology of acute anterior uveitis
- Inflammation and immune cells in the anterior chamber of the eye
- Anterior chamber becomes infiltrated by neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages -> floaters in vision
- Autoimmune or due to infection, trauma, ischaemia or malignancy
Acute anterior uveitis is associated with
HLA B27 related conditions:
* Ankylosing spondylitis
* Inflammatory bowel disease
* Reactive arthritis
Chronic anterior uveitis is associated with infections
- Sarcoidosis
- Syphilis
- Lyme disease
- Tuberculosis
- Herpes virus
presentation of acute anterior uveitis
Photophobic associated with dull ache
- Unilateral
- No history of trauma or precipitating events
- May occur in association with RA flare
Others
- Dull, aching painful red eye
- Ciliary flush (ring of red spread from cornea outwards)
- Reduced visual acquity
- Floaters and flashes
- Miosis (constricted pupil)
- Photophobia
- Pain on movement
- Excessive tear production
- Abnormally shaped pupil due to posterior synechiae (adhesions) pulling the iris into abnormal shape
- Hypopyon – collection of WBC in anterior chamber as a yellowish fluid collection settles in front of the lower iris, with a fluid level
key signs of anterior uveitis
Painful red eye
- ciliary flush (ring of red spread from conea outwards)
- floaters and flashes
- miosis (constricted pupil)
- photophobia
- pain on movmeent
- abnormal shape to pupil
- Hypopyon
Investigations for anterior uveitis
- Slit lamp assessment of the different structures of the eye
- Intraocular pressures
management of anterior uveitis
Same day assessment by ophthalmologist – sight threatening
- Tapering regime of Steroids (oral, topical or IV)
- Cycloplegic-mydriatic medications e.g. cyclopentolate or atropine eye drops
o Paralyse ciliary muscles and causes dilating of pupils
o Antimuscarinic medications to block action of iris sphincter muscles and ciliary body -> reduce pain associated with ciliary spasms by stopping action of ciliary muscles - Immunosuppressants e.g. DMARDS and TNF inhibitors
- Laser therapy, cryotherapy or surgery (vitrectomy) in severe cases
Cycloplegic-mydriatic medications
e.g. cyclopentolate or atropine eye drops
- Paralyse ciliary muscles and causes dilating of pupils
- Antimuscarinic medications to block action of iris sphincter muscles and ciliary body -> reduce pain associated with ciliary spasms by stopping action of ciliary muscles
Anterior scleritis
Background
- Scleritis involves inflammation of the full thickness of the sclera
- Very painful
- More serious than episcleritis
- Not usually caused by infection
Anterior
Posterior
anterior scleritis
(anterior to the ocular recti muscles)
- Diffuse
- Nodular
- Necrotising (most severe)
Posterior scleritis
(involvement of sclera posterior to the insertion of the rectus muscles)
- Rare, can manifest as serous retinal detachment, choroidal folds or both
- Often loss of vision
- Pain on eye movement
- May look less red due to being posterior
Pathophysiology of anterior scleritis
- Pathophysiology varies according to form of scleritis
- Autoimmune common cause and associated with systemic rheumatological conditions
Risk factor/causes for scleritis
There is an associated systemic rheumatological conditions in around 50% of patients presenting with scleritis. This may be:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- Sarcoidosis
- Ocular infections: tuberculosis
Investigations
for scleritis
- Slit lamp bio microscopy
o Inflamed scleral vessels
o Cannot be move with cotton tipped applicator - Vessels are immobile and do not blanch with phenylephrine 2.5%
- Scleral thinning seen if recurrent
Presentation
Scleritis
usually presents with an acute onset of symptoms. Around 50% of cases are bilateral.
- Gradual onset
- Deep pink colour with a violet hue, dilated brighter red vessels superficial to areas
- Severe pain if Necrotising
- Pain with eye movement
- Photophobia
- Eye watering
- Reduced visual acuity
- Abnormal pupil reaction to light
- Tenderness to palpation of the eye