Eye Care - Assessment

Question 1

what are the red flag symptoms of the eye?

Answer 1

pain, photophobia, vision disturbance, blunt trauma, chemical exposure, imbedded foreign body, heat exposure (e.g. welder’s arc), eye protrusion, contact lens wearer

Question 2

If the discharge is purulent, what is likely?

Answer 2

bacterial conjunctivitis

Question 3

if discharge is watery, what is likely causing?

Answer 3

viral or allergic

Question 4

if allergic, what is the main symptom, compared to viral?

Answer 4

itching

Question 5

if patient complains of burning, fatigued, foreign-body sensation, what is likely?

Answer 5

dry eye

Question 6

if suspecting dry eye, when do you need medical assessment by physician?

Answer 6

if secondary to medicaion or to an undiagnosed condition (e.g. blepharitis) or if symptoms worsen or persist > 5 days

Question 7

if it is eyelid problem with lid swollen with nodule, what is likely?

Answer 7

hordeolum or chalazion - self-care required, medical assessment if no improvement after 48 hours

Question 8

if itchy, red, scaly eyelid, what do you need to check?

Answer 8

lice infestation else where on body

Question 9

if no lice infestation on body for eyelid problem, what is likely?

Answer 9

blepharitis - acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis