Ear And Eye Flashcards
3.1 conjunctivitis
symptoms:
• both eyes (one eye first)
• sticky, purulent
• redness
• gritty
• no other symptoms
Refer:
• true eye pain
• vision affected
• photophobia
• contact lenses
• foreign-body in eye
• eye/head trauma
• eye surgery laser in past 6 months
• eye inflammation associated with rash
on scalp/face.
• dry eye syndrome
glaucoma:
• sudden severe eye pain, n+v, cloudy
eye, vision, headache
Keratitis:
• severe eye pain, loss of vision,
photophobia, redness around iris
Uvetis:
• affects one eye, irregular shaped pupil,
photophobia, unreactive to light
OTC products:
• first-line = 2+ chloramphenicol
• every 2 hours for first 48 hours then
every 4 hours during waking hours for 6
days
• store in fridge 2-8 degrees
• eye ointment: apply 3-4 times daily for 5
days
• refer if not improving >48 hours contraindication:
• family history of blood dyscrasias or
myelosuppression
Alternatives:
• all ages - propamidine isetionate
Advice:
• bathe eyelids with lukewarm water
• throw away tissues
• regular hand washing
• avoid contact lenses
3.2 ear problems
symptoms:
Otitis media
• common in children with a cold/flu
• throbbing earache
• mucopurulent discharge
• painin mastoid area
• self-limiting - 3 days
Otitis externa
• “swimmers ear”
• skin inflammation of ear canal = pain
• itchy
Ear wax build-up
• temporary deafness
• ear discomfort/sensation that ear is
blocked
Referral:
otitis media
• pain does not resolve with simple
analgesia
• systemic symptoms
• no improvement >72 hours
• high risk of complications
• children under 2 with bilateral otitis
media
Otitis externa - under 12 = refer
• deafness
• tinnitus
• vertigo
• blocked eara
• discharge
• bleeding
Ear wax build-up
• unusual discharge from ear canal
• persistent pain within the ear
• tinnitus
• OTC failure - can refer for syringing
otitis media
• simple analgesia
Otitis externa
• ear calm spray (12+)
• treat mild superficial infections
• refer if no improvement after 2 days
ear wax build-up
• water based ear drops - sodium
bicarbonate
• oil-based ear drops - olive oil
• peroxide ear drops - hydroxide peroxide
• surfactant ear drops - decussate
Advice: otitis media, otitis external, ear wax clean up -
otitis media
• self-limiting and resolves within 3 days
• treat symptoms with simple analgesic
Otitis externa
• caused by allergy or irritation of ear canal
• wear ear plugs when swimming
• avoid shampoo, soaps in ears
Ear wax build-up
• self-cleaning
• Clean with cotton buds as this can cause
wax impaction
Advice: otitis media, otitis external, ear wax clean up -
otitis media
• self-limiting and resolves within 3 days
• treat symptoms with simple analgesic
Otitis externa
• caused by allergy or irritation of ear canal
• wear ear plugs when swimming
• avoid shampoo, soaps in ears
Ear wax build-up
• self-cleaning
• Clean with cotton buds as this can cause
wax impaction