Conjunctivitis

Question 1

What is Conjunctivitis?

Answer 1

Inflamm of conjunctiva

Question 2

What is the Conjunctiva?

Answer 2

Thin layer of tissue covering inside of eyelids + Sclera

Question 3

What are the 3 types of Conjunctivitis?

Answer 3

1. Bac
2. Viral
3. Allergic

Question 4

What are the general CF of Conjunctivitis? (4 things)

Answer 4

1. Red eyes
2. Bloodshot
3. Itchy / gritty
4. Discharge

Question 5

Are the CF of Conjunctivitis Unilat / Bilat?

Answer 5

Can be either

Question 6

What CF does Conjunctivitis NOT have? (3 things)

Answer 6

1. Pain
2. Photophobia
3. Reduced visual acuity (apart from when eye covered in discharge)

Question 7

What are the specific CF of Bac Conjunctivitis? (2 things)

Answer 7

1. Purulent discharge
2. Inflamed conjunctiva

Question 8

When is Bac Conjunctivitis worse?

Answer 8

Worse in morning (eyes stuck together)

Question 9

How does Bac Conjunctivitis start?

Answer 9

Starts in one eye –> spread to other

Question 10

What are the specific CF of Viral Conjunctivitis? (5 things)

Answer 10

1. Clear discharge
2. Tender preauricular lymph nodes (in front of ears)
3. Blocked nose
4. Dry cough
5. Sore throat

Question 11

What are the specific CF of Viral Conjunctivitis? (5 things)

Answer 11

1. Clear discharge
2. Dry cough
3. Sore throat
4. Blocked nose
5. Tender preauricular lymph nodes (in front of ears)

Question 12

What are the specific CF of Allergic Conjunctivitis? (3 things)

Answer 12

1. Swelling of Conjunctival sac + Eye lid
2. Very watery discharge
3. Itch

Question 13

What is the difference in discharge between the different types of Conjunctivitis?

Answer 13

• Bac: Purulent
• Viral: Clear
• Allergic: Very watery

Question 14

How do you separate between the different groups of DDx of Conjuncivitis?

Answer 14

Painful vs Painless Red Eye

Question 15

What are the DDx of Painless Red Eye? (3 things)

Answer 15

1. Conjunctivitis (obv)
2. Episcleritis
3. Subconjunctival Haemorrhage

Question 16

What are the DDx of Painful Red Eye? (7 things)

Answer 16

1. Glaucoma
2. Ant uveitis
3. Scleritis
4. Corneal abrasions / ulceration
5. Keratitis
6. Foreign body
7. Trauma / chemical injury

Question 17

What are the DDx of Painful Red Eye? (7 things)

Answer 17

1. Glaucoma
2. Ant uveitis
3. Scleritis
4. Corneal abrasions / ulceration
5. Keratitis
6. Foreign body
7. Trauma / chemical injury

Question 18

What are the Mx options for Conjunctivitis?

Answer 18

Self limiting within 1-2 weeks

Question 19

What should you advise pt w Conjunctivitis? (4 things)

Answer 19

1. Good hygiene (aka wash hands / don’t share towels / don’t rub eyes)
2. Don’t use contact lenses
3. Clean eyes w cooled boiled water
4. Clear discharge w Cotton wool

Question 20

What are the Mx options if you sus BAC Conjunctivitis?

Answer 20

Abx eye drops
(but bear in mind it might get better even w/o dis)

Question 21

What are the Mx options if you sus BAC Conjunctivitis?

Answer 21

Abx eye drops
(but bear in mind it might get better even w/o dis)

Question 22

What Abx eye drops can you use for BAC Conjunctivitis? (2 things)

Answer 22

1. Chloramphenicol
2. Fuscidic acid

Question 23

What are the Mx options for Allergic Conjunctivitis?

Answer 23

Antihistamines (oral / topical) (relieves symptoms)

Question 24

What should you consider for Mx Allergic Conjunctivitis w Chronic seasonal CF?

Answer 24

Topical mast-cell stabilisers

Question 25

How do Topical mast-cell stabilisers work in Allergic Conjunctivitis Mx?

Answer 25

Prevent mast cells releasing histamine

Question 26

What should you do for Babies under 1 month w Conjunctivitis?

Answer 26

Urgent ophthalmology review

Question 27

Why do Babies under 1 month w Conjunctivitis need an Urgent ophthalmology review?

Answer 27

Bc Neonatal conjunctivitis assoc w Gonococcal inf –> Blindless + Pneumonia