External Eye Conditions

Question 1

What causes a Meibomian cyst?

Answer 1

Blockage of the meibomian gland (found on edge of tarsal plate)

Question 2

Is a Meibomian cyst painful?

Answer 2

No

Question 3

Is a Meibomian cyst an infection?

Answer 3

No

Question 4

What type of infection causes a stye?

Answer 4

Staphylococcal

Question 5

Is a stye painful?

Answer 5

Yes, painful and red due to inflammation

Question 6

How do you treat a stye?

Answer 6

Warm compress for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day

Question 7

What is blepharitis?

Answer 7

Inflammation of eyelid margins

Question 8

What can cause blepharitis?

Answer 8

Meibomian gland dysfunction
Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Staphylococcal infection
More common in those with rosacea

Question 9

What features are associated with blepharitis?

Answer 9

Bilateral symptoms 
Grittiness and discomfort particularly around eyelid margins 
Eyes may be sticky in morning 
Eyelid margins may be red
Swollen eyelids may be seen in staphylococcal blepharitis 
Styes and chalazion more common 
Scales on lashes
Secondary conjunctivitis may occur

Question 10

How is blepharitis managed?

Answer 10

Good eyelid hygiene is mainstay
Hot compress to soften lid margin
Cotton bud and baby shampoo diluted 1:10 with warm water
Artificial tears

Question 11

What is an ectropian?

Answer 11

Out turning of eyelid

Question 12

Why can Meibomian gland dysfunction cause blepharitis?

Answer 12

Meibomian glands secrete oil onto the surface to prevent rapid evaporation of the tear film. Any problem affecting the Meibomian gland can cause drying of eye and hence irritation

Question 13

In children with blepharitis, what treatment should be considered?

Answer 13

Oral erythromycin

Question 14

What can an ectropion cause?

Answer 14

Eye irritation
Watering - punctum malaligned
Exposure keratitis

Question 15

What are ectropions associated with?

Answer 15

Old age

Facial palsy

Question 16

In the case of an ectropion, what can correct the deformity?

Answer 16

Plastic surgery

If facial palsy the cause- can have an implant in upper lid to aid closure

Question 17

What is an entropion?

Answer 17

Lid inturning
Typically due to degeneration of lower (rarely upper) lid
The inturning eyelashes irritate the cornea

Question 18

What treatment can be done for an entropion?

Answer 18

Taping the lower eyelids to the cheek or botulinum toxin injection to lower lid gives temporary relief

More lasting relief - surgery

Question 19

What is lagophthalmos?

Answer 19

Difficulty in lid closure

Question 20

What can cause lagopthalmos?

Answer 20

Exophthalmos
Mechanical impairment of lid movement - injury, burns
Paralysed obicularis oculi

Question 21

What can occur as a result of lagophthalmos?

Answer 21

Corneal ulcers

Keratitis

Question 22

In cases of lagophthalmos, what can be used to lubricate the eye?

Answer 22

Liquid paraffin

Question 23

What is xanthelasama?

Answer 23

Lipid deposits seen in hyperlipidaemia

Question 24

What is pinguecula?

Answer 24

Degenerative vascular yellow-grey nodules on the conjunctiva either side of the cornea

Question 25

Pinguecula typically occur in..

Answer 25

Adult males

Question 26

If pinguecula invade to cornea, what word is used to describe it?

Answer 26

Pterygium - new vessels can be seen crossing over the boundary between sclera and cornea