6.1.7 Red Eye Flashcards
3 red flag symptoms
- PAIN - NEVER A GOOD SIGN
- REDUCED VISUAL ACUITY - COULD MEAN CORNEAL INVOLVEMENT
- PHOTOPHOBIA - COULD MEAN CORNEAL INVOLVEMENT
What to examine
- VAs - microbial keratitis might cause more redness
- Pupils - to rule out anterior uveitis, angle closure etc
- Motility - scleritis can cause ache or pain on eye movement
- IOPs - angle closure, viral infection, uveitis
Slit lamp:
- Look at the pattern or distribution of the redness
- Carefully examine the conjunctiva, including lid eversion to view palpebral conjunctiva
- NaFl? - suspect dendrite or stromal opacities
- Van hericks
- Look for cells & flare - inflammation!
- Posterior examination
What is Trichaiasis, its signs/symptoms and management. Same Qs for all cards following
- DescriptionInward misdirection of eyelashes
- CausesTraumaLoss of eyelid elasticity - age
- Signs & SymptomsSigns - eyelashes inwards, often with blepharitis (chronic), pannus, corneal involevmentSxs - FB sensation, redness, itchiness, photophobia
- DDEctropion, EntropionTrichiasis will literally have lashes growing the wrong way i.e. inwards but the lid won’t be that inverted unlike in entropion
- ManagementOcular lubricants - dependent on symptoms.Referral where vision is being affected, management may be:Electrolysis - inserting a fine needle into the lash root and passing an electrical or radiofrequency current through it, attempting to destroy the lash follicle.Cryosurgery - very cold then probe used to remove lashes
Prognosis: Good.
ectropion
- Ectropian
- Outward rotation of lid margin
- Types - Involutional (age related causing laxity), Cicatricial (scarring of skin), Paralytic (facial palsy i.e. Bell’s), Mechanical (tumour, lid swelling etc), Congenital (rare bilateral condition)
- TESTS:
-
Distraction test
- if lower lid can be pulled >6mm from globe, it is lax, positive test indicates canthal tendon laxity
-
Snap-back test
- with finger, pull lower lid down towards inferior orbital margin
release: lid should snap back
lid slow to return to its normal position: indicates poor orbicularis tone
- with finger, pull lower lid down towards inferior orbital margin
-
Management - less lid rubbing (induces laxity), drops, routine referral if severe
- Most patients undergo surgery to tighten the eyelid at the outer aspect of the eyelids (a lateral tarsal strip procedure)
Entropion
- Inward rotation of lid margin
- TESTS:
-
Distraction test
- if lower lid can be pulled >6mm from globe, it is lax, positive test indicates canthal tendon laxity
-
Snap-back test
- with finger, pull lower lid down towards inferior orbital margin
release: lid should snap back
lid slow to return to its normal position: indicates poor orbicularis tone
- with finger, pull lower lid down towards inferior orbital margin
-
Test of Induced Entropion (TIE-2 test)
- ask patient to look down
hold upper lid up as high as possible
ask patient to close the eyes as tightly as possible
The TIE-2 test is positive if this provokes an intermittent lower lid
entropion
- ask patient to look down
- Types - Involutional, Cicatricial (scarring & contraction of palp conj e.g. in chronic bleph), Spastic (random orbicularis contraction e.g. after surgery or blepharospasm), Congenital (rare)
-
Management - Lash epilation, Lubrication, routine referral if severe
- Lower lid everting sutures or lower lid retractor advancement with lateral tarsal strip (no sutures)
Bacterial Conjunctivitis
- DescriptionStaphyloccocal or streptococcus infection of conjunctiva
- Causes
- Contamination
- Trauma
- Cl wear
- Secondary to Blepharitis, Diabetes, Steroids
- Signs & Sxs
- Lid crusting, Mucous discharge, Hyperaemia, Papillae
- General discomfort sxs of burning & gritiness
- DDOther forms of conjunctivitis
- Viral
- epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (e.g. adenovirus)
- Herpes simplexorHerpes zoster
- Chlamydial infection
- allergy
- angle closure glaucoma
- infective keratitis
- anterior uveitis
- ManagementOften resolves in 5-7 days no treatmentWipes, heated mask or flannel for crustingIf doesn’t resolve then topic chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops or 1% ointment for useChloramphenicol is for maximum of 5 days. Should become better after 2 days of using every 2 hours (drops), then drops can be used 4x/day for the next 3 days. Ointment used 4x/day for the 5 day period. Px then reviewed
Viral Conjunctivitis
- DescriptionInflammation of conjunctiva due to viral transmission, through respiritory or ocular infections.
- CausesAdenovirusPossibily from low standards of hygiene, outbreaks in general population or even transmission in eye clinics via clinican fingers, tonometer prisms etc.
- Signs & Sxs
- Hyperaemia, Watering, Follicles (lower fornix!), Pseudomembrane, Punctate epitheliopathy leading to sub-epithelial lesions/infiltrates, Anterior Stromal involvment
- Photophobia, discomfort
- DD
- Management
- CLEAN EVERYTHING & USE GLOVES!
- Condition self-limiting, resolves within 1-2 weeks. Time should be taken off school or work. Px should not share towels!
- Cold compress & lubrication of relief
- Emergency - if conjunctivitis severe (e.g. presence of pseudomembrane) or if significant keratitis present (e.g. severe pain and/or visual loss)
- Swabs taken & steroids given
Acute Allergic Conjunctivitis
- DescriptionReaction to an allergen (often unidentified) that comes into contact with the conjunctiva provoking an immediate (Type I) IgE-mediated response
- CausesAllergens include: grass pollen, animal danderHistory of allergic disease
- Signs & Sxs
- Hyperaemia, Eyelid swelling & chemosis, Stringy mucous discharge, No papillae initially
- Itching, photophobia, FBS, burning, watering
- DDSeasonal allergic conjunctivitis
- ManagementMost resolve after a few hours. Advise against eye rubbingCool compress. Anti histamines &/or lubricationIf recurrent then sodium cromoglycate, 4x/day for 28 days
Seasonal and perennial Conjunctivitis
- DescriptionSeasonal - Hypersensitivity IgE mediated reaction to specific airborne allergens like grass pollen. Essentially hayfeverPerennial - non-seasonal allergens like house dust mite or animal dander, less common!
- CausesThinking of the triad: Any Hayfever, Asthma or Eczema
- Signs & SxsHyperaemia, ITCHING!, Watering, Sneezing & nasal dischargeOedema of conjunctiva, Diffuse papillaeNo corneal involvement
- DDVernal or Atopic keratoconjunctivitis - corneal involvementCLAPC
- ManagementAdvise avoidance of allergen(s)Cool compresses for symptomatic reliefAdvise against eye rubbing (causes mechanical mast cell degranulation)Ocular lubricants for symptomatic relief
- topical mast cell stabilisers, e.g. gutt.sodium cromoglicate2%, gutt.lodoxamide0.1%
- topical antihistamine e.g. gutt.antazoline0.5% (the only available preparation [Otrivine-Antistin] also contains xylometazoline 0.05%)
- 2-3x/day for 7 days
Herpes Simplex Keratitis
- DescriptionHSV-1 generally infects ‘above the waist’ (lips, face, eyes)
- primary infection usually in childhood, then virus lies dormant in trigeminal ganglion
- when virus reactivates it travels along branches of the trigeminal nerve to cause local infection (e.g. cold sore or herpes keratitis)
- but may also be a cause of herpetic keratitis
- CausesPoor general health, immunodeficiency, fatigueSystemic or topical steroids, or other immunosuppressive drugsTrauma
- Signs & Sxs
- Px won’t feel well!
- Usually unilateral
- Pain, burning, irritation, photophobia, reduced visual acuity, redness
- Epithelial dendritic ulcer —> Stromal infiltrates, KPs, uveitis, raised IOP —> Disciform keratitis (stromal & epithelial oedema, wessely ring)
- Cells & flare!
- Subepithelial Haze
- Follicles
DD
- Herpes zoster keratitis
- Acanthamoeba
Management
Aciclovir or ganciclovir - antivirals Topical steroids not used unless disciform keratitis as it can otherwise cause corneal perforation! **(acute or recurrent epithelial HSK with no stromal involvement): alleviation or palliation; monitor closely within first 72 hours to evaluate healing, but refer urgently (within one week) to ophthalmologist if epithelium has not healed after seven days** **(if stroma involved, or in children or contact lens wearers, or in bilateral cases): emergency (same day) referral to ophthalmologist**
Herpes Zoster
- DescriptionReactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve
- virus lies dormant (sometimes for decades) in dorsal root and cranial nerve sensory ganglia
- reactivation leads to herpes zoster (shingles)
- CausesImmune compromise: HIV/AIDS, medical immunosuppression
- Signs & SxsPain and altered sensation of the forehead on one sideRash affecting forehead and upper eyelid appears a day to a week laterGeneral malaise, headache, feverLesion at the side of the tip of the nose (Hutchinson’s sign)Ocular:
- HIGH PAIN, discharge, redness, photophobia
- Nummular keratitis (10 days after rash onset)
- punctate keratitis
- pseudodendrites
- sometimes dendritic like ulcer which can be distinguished from the classic form by the shape of the dentdrite, which has tapered ends rather than the classic end bulb
Neurotrophic keratitis (below) - reduced corneal sensation! Corneal Esthesiometry used to check corneal sensation. Cotton bud used to compare BEs in all 4 quadrants of cornea. Come to the px from the side. - Disciform keratitis
- Episcleritis, scleritis, anterior uveitis, secondary glaucoma
- DDHerpes simplexAcanthamoeba
- ManagementAdvise avoidance of contact with elderly or pregnant individuals, also babies and children not previously exposed to VZV (who are non-immune) or immunodeficient patientsfor acute skin lesions: emergency referral (same day) to GP for systemic anti-viral treatment
- Early treatment with oral aciclovir (within 72 hours after rash onset) reduces the percentage of eye disorders in ophthalmic zoster patients from 50% to 20-30%. This early treatment also lessens acute pain.
- deeper cornea involved
- untreated disciform keratitis can lead to scarring
- neurotrophic ulceration can lead to perforation
- anterior uveitis present
- IOP raised
Acanthemoeba Keratitis
- DescriptionCan exist in two forms
- motile, feeding and replicating form: trophozoite (most common form found in water and easily destroyed)
- dormant form: cyst (highly resistant to disinfection, can survive for long periods in hostile environments)
- CausesCL WEAR - EXPOSURE TO TAP WATER OR SOIL. CONTAMINATION OF CASE WITH BACTERIA & OR FUNGI
- Signs & Sxs
- LOTS OF PAIN, Redness, Photophobia, Watering
- Pseudodendrite, Radial keratoneuritis (can distinguish from actual dendrite!), Epithelial infiltrates
- DDHerpes simplex
- ManagementEMERGENCY REFERRALMUST GET PX TO TAKE CL CASE WITH THEM FOR SWABBINGTRY TO PHONE THE HOSPITAL. PX MUST GO STRAIGHT AWAY!!VERY AGGRESSIVE AROUND THE CLOCK TREATMENT NEEDED WITH STEROIDS & BIGUANIDES
Episcleritis
- DescriptionInflammation of connective tissue between sclera & conjunctiva i.e. the episclera (the outer part of the sclera)
- CausesInflammatory disorders (RA, Herpes Zoster, Crohn etc)Ocular (dry eye, rosacea, CL wear)Typically in younger people, F>M
- Signs & Sxs
- Unilateral, acute, normal vision
- Mild discomfort, watering, photophobia & redness
- Simple (80%, sectorial & diffuse), Nodular (20%)
- AC reaction rare
- DDScleritisViral conjunctivitis
- ManagementOften none, resolves in 2 weeks to review px in this periodAdv lubrication, cold compress, ibuprofen 200mg 3x/day (NSAID)If not better, then refer to HES for weak topical steroid to be given
Scleritis
- DescriptionInflammation of the sclera itself. Can spread to whole AC if not treated!!Anterior scleritis - non-necrotising can be diffuse or nodular. Necrotising is with or without inflammation
- CausesMany such as infections, autoimmune, parasitic, post surgery (most commonly)
- Signs & Sxs
- Unlateral, acute
- Aching, worse at night
- Pain on eye movement, Photophobia, Watering, Reduced VA
- Diffuse non-nec (60% of all scleritis) —> EXTREME PAIN, Redness of every vessel, very extensive
- Nodular non-nec —> more serious than diffuse!! Nodule tender to touch & cannot be move using cotton bud
- Nec with inflammation —> MOST SEVERE FORM OF SCLERITIS, Reduced VA!! Very likely to be systemic! Scleral thinning (looks bluish) & choroidal exposure due to literal death of sclera - visible with NaFl. White patches seen.
- Nec without inflammation —> VERY RARE! Links with RA, no sxs, progressive scleral thinning & choroid exposure
- DDEpiscleritis
- ManagementNecrotising is EMERGENCY REFERRALNon necrotising is URGENT WITHIN ONE WEEKSteroid treatment!!