Eye And Ear OTC

Question 1

What are the symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis?

Answer 1

Both eyes, one eye first
Sticky, purulent discharge
Redness
Gritty

Question 2

What are the symptoms of viral conjunctivitis?

Answer 2

Both eyes
Watery
Redness
Gritty
Cold/flu

Question 3

What are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?

Answer 3

Both eyes
Clear and watery
Redness
Itchy
Hayfever/allergic rhinitis

Question 4

When do you refer conjunctivitis?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

Answer 5

Sudden, severe eye pain
Nausea and vomiting
Cloudy eye
Vision blurred, halos
Headache

Immediate referral

Question 6

What are the symptoms of keratitis?

Answer 6

Severe eye pain
Loss of vision
Photophobia
Redness around iris

Immediate referral

Question 7

What are the symptoms of uveitis?

Answer 7

Affects one eye
Irregular shaped pupil
Photophobia
Pupil is unreactive to light

Question 8

What are the OTC products used for bacterial conjunctivitis?

Answer 8

First line - 2+ chloramphenicol

Eye drops - every 2 hours for first 48 hours then every 4 hours for 5 days
Store in fridge

Eye ointment - 3-4 times a day for 5 days
Refer if not improving > 48 hours

Question 9

When is chloramphenicol contraindicated?

Answer 9

Blood dyscrasias

Myelosuppression

Question 10

What is the chlorphenamine alternative in bacterial conjunctivitis?

Answer 10

All ages propamidine isetionate

Question 11

What is the advice for conjunctivitis?

Answer 11

Bathe eyelids
Throw away tissues
Regular hand washing
Avoid contact lenses

Question 12

What are the symptoms of otitis media?

Answer 12

Common in children with a cold/flu

Throbbing earache
Mucopurulent discharge
Pain in mastoid area

Self-limiting 3 days

Question 13

What are the symptoms of otitis externa?

Answer 13

Swimmers ear

Skin
Inflammation of ear canal = pain
Itchy

Question 14

What are the symptoms of ear wax build up?

Answer 14

Temporary deafness

Ear discomfort/sensation that ear is blocked

Question 15

When do you refer for otitis media?

Answer 15

Pain does not resolve with analgesics
Systemic symptoms
No improvement > 72 hours
High risk of serious complications 
Mastoiditis
Children < 2

Question 16

When do you refer for otitis externa?

Answer 16

Deafness
Tinnitus
Vertigo 
Blocked ears
Discharge
Nausea and vomiting
Bleeding
Children < 12

Question 17

What are the referral criteria for ear wax build up?

Answer 17

Usual discharge from ear canal
Persistent pain within the ear
Tinnitus
OTC failure

Question 18

What OTC products are used for otitis media?

Answer 18

Simple analgesics

Self limiting

Question 19

What are the OTC products for otitis externa?

Answer 19

Ear calm 12+

Treat mild superficial infections

Refer if no improvement after 2 days

Question 20

What are the OTC products for ear wax?

Answer 20

Olive oil
Sodium bicarbonate
Hydroxide peroxide
Docusate

Question 21

What is the advice for otitis media?

Answer 21

Self limiting and resolves within 3 days

Treat with simple analgesia

Question 22

What is the advice for otitis externa?

Answer 22

Can be caused by allergy or irritation of ear canal

Wear ear plugs when swimming

Avoid shampoo, soaps in ears

Question 23

What is the advice for ear wax build up?

Answer 23

Ear is self cleaning

Clean with cotton buds as this can cause wax impaction