Eye Conditions Flashcards
What are the major anatomical features of the eyes?
Cornea: transparent, anterior portion of the eye (pain receptors present, but no blood vessels)
Sclera: posterior aspect of the eye’s outer surface and it is continuous with the cornea (white, fibrous tissue)
Conjunctiva: membrane covering the sclera and inside the eyelids (blood vessel supply)
As a general rule of thumb, when should pharmacists refer ophthalmic conditions to an MD?
2 days for ophthalmic conditions (especially if injury is bad)
Is black eye a minor injury?
Depends if bone or eye got hit directly
If you see the following, get medical attention:
Swelling does not start to recede after a few days
Changes in vision
Severe pain starts
SIgns of infection
Behavioural changes, lethargy (concussion)
Nausea, vomiting, dizzy
Inability to move eye
Blood in eye itself
Any lacerations to eye area
What are some treatment options for black eyes?
Cold compress (any cold object is fine
Analgesics (Advil, but cold compress does much of the heavy lifting)
What are some signs of a foreign body in the eye?
See immediate increase in tearing, irritation/scratchy (this feeling can linger after this object is out of the eye)
What can patients do about removing foreign bodies from the eye?
Gentle rinsing with warm water or saline is appropriate. An eye bath can make this easier if you are on your own
If an object can’t be removed, cover both eyes (due to phantom movement) and get MD care
What should patient do if a chemical gets into the eye?
Flush eye (pull out eyelid for 15 min)
Leave contact lenses in (protective until MD care)
See MD if flushing does not work (take offending chemical container)
What should a patient do if you get snow blindness from radiant energy reflecting of the snow and into your eyes?
Eyes will be red and have an itchy and foreign body-like sensation
Treatments:
Cool compress
Non-medicated eye drops (1-2 drops)
Sunglasses for a few days
If patient regularly wears contacts, feel free to use them as they are hydrating (can help reduce irritation)
What are the levels in the tear film that covers the eyes?
Outer surface is oily (lipid based and prevents evaporation of lower layers)
Middle layer is mainly aqueous
Inner layers is mucoidal
What can happen when the outer surface of the tear film is compromised?
This can result in spot evaporation of lower layers. This can cause dry eyes
What are some symptoms associated with dry eyes?
Difficulty blinking
Generally less tears produced (can also result in more tearing, but those tears are ineffective)
Should pharmacists immediately give patients with dry eyes artificial tears?
Sure, but should be checked out by an MD or Optometrist
What are some factors that can cause dry eyes?
Age
Blepharitis (infection of eye lid margin, reduces secretion of lipid outer layer)
Drugs (Accutane and anti cholinergic drugs)
LASIK Surgery (nerves are cut in this procedure)
Sjogren’s Syndrome (classic major side effect, dry eyes and mouth, and arthritic joint pain)
Can artificial tears fully mimic real tears?
No, can only provide lubrication. They can only try to replicate tears
Do the different ingredients in artificial tears matter in terms of efficacy?
No, it is irrelevant.
If patient wears contacts, ensure product is compatible with their use
What are the instructions for artificial tear use?
Need to use them regularly. Tolerance does not develop and natural tear production wil not change.
Difference agents may have different efficacy or irritants (try different formulations to find the best one for patient)
Newer generation artificial tears have disappearing preservatives, helps reduce irritation
What formulations of artificial tears are best for night use?
OIntments and gels are better if patient experiences dry eyes during sleep
Will patients become tolerant to artificial tears?
No, use them if you need them. Artificial tears can be used indefinitely without any consequences
What are some non-artificial tears treatments for dry eyes?
Humidifier
Lid margin hygiene (prevents blepharitis)
Plug the ducts
Cyclosporine drops (reduce inflammation associated with dry eyes and improves the composition of tears. Can take months before seeing effects unlike artificial tears)
Omega 3 fatty acid drops (low efficacy)
Lifitegrast drops (anti-inflammatory, more effective than omega 3, can take more than a few days to see effects)
Heat at night
What is stye?
It is a Staph aureus infection in an eyelash follicle (feels like a pimple on the eye lid margin)
It can be swollen or tender
Stye can last up to 7 days
Do not pop or squeeze unless head has emerged
What are some treatments for stye?
Warm compresses (can speed up the process of a stye coming a head)
Pink eye antibiotic drops (not effective because contact time is too short)
What is Chalazion?
They are less common compared to styes (They are plugged oil ducts)
Chalazions can be located offset from the eye lid margin, while styes are always on the eye lid margins
How are chalazions treated?
May need MD care to rule out other conditions
Warm compress and massage are the standard therapy
What is conjunctival hyperemia?
Irritation of the conjunctiva (allergies, dry air, wind, etc.)
It is a mild form of conjunctivitis