Eye infection

Question 1

What is Conjunctivitis

Answer 1

This is redness and inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Question 2

Causes of Conjunctivitis

Answer 2

1. Bacterial
2. Viral
3. Allergic

Question 3

List the organism that cause Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Answer 3

Staphylococcus species,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, Haemophilus influenzae
and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Question 4

Other bacterial causes of conjunctivitis can be transmitted from mother to baby. True or False

Answer 4

True

Question 5

List organism that can cause infection from mother to fetus

Answer 5

Organisms such as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea can cause asymptomatic infection within the mother, however as the baby travels through the birth canal, it is exposed to these organisms and this can result in neonatal conjunctivitis.

Question 6

List the causes of viral conjunctivitis

Answer 6

viral conjunctivitis (often referred to as ‘pink eye’ is a very common self limiting infection, usually caused by adenovirus. However other viruses can be associated with this condition including herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster and picnoravirus.

Question 7

Allergic reactions can cause symptoms similar to conjunctivitis true or false

Answer 7

True

Question 8

List the symptoms of allergic Conjunctivitis

Answer 8

Allergic reactions can also cause symptoms very similar to conjunctivitis. Seasonal pollen and flowers can cause watery and itchy eyes, as can perennial pollen and dust mites. Sometimes these symptoms are associated with an irritant such as chlorinated water, shampoo, different chemicals or make up and smoke.

Question 9

what type of formulation would be useful to treat bacterial conjunctivitis?

Answer 9

drops and ointment

Question 10

______________are the cause of 90% of cases of styes

Answer 10

Staphylococci

Question 11

what are the presenting symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Answer 11

Bilateral - affecting both eyes

Watery discharge

Eye feel itchy

Often seasonal - but not always

Question 12

what are the presenting symptoms for bacterial conjunctivitis

Answer 12

Bilateral or Unilateral - usually affecting only one eye, then spreading

Viscous discharge

Eyes feel sore and gritty

Question 13

what are the presenting symptoms for viral conjunctivitis

Answer 13

Irritation

Watery discharge

Red eye

Question 14

what antibacterial agent should be used?

Answer 14

chloramphenicol

Question 15

what questions to ask for differential diagnosis

Answer 15

Vision affected, blurred vision, double vision

Allergies or infection that can affect his eyes e.g. hay fever

use of contact lens?

past medical history

Question 16

other treatment for eyes?

Answer 16

Hypromellose - dry eyes

PROPAMIDINE ISETIONATE - for Acanthamoeba keratitis infections (specialist use only),
Local treatment of eye infections

Question 17

what are the side effects of eye drops and ointments

Answer 17

Patients using eye drops or ointments may experience some side effects, these include discomfort/pain to the local area, blurred vision, itching and in some cases taste disturbances after the drops have been administered.

Question 18

what additional advise to give patients

Answer 18

Conjunctivitis is a contagious condition and patients would often benefit from additional advise such as
good hygiene measures to stop cross contamination between eyes,

avoiding the use of make up and discarding make up that has been used during the infection

and avoiding the use of contact lenses, as these can sometimes exacerbate the condition.

If your patients symptoms have not improved within 48 hours of treatment, they should be counselled to seek advise from the GP.

Question 19

when do you refer patients to GP or eye clinic

Answer 19

here are a number of situations when immediate referral to the GP or the eye clinic is important, these include
if your patient is a child under the age of 2,

if the patient is complaining that their vision is affected (this could suggest that there are further complications),

if the patient reports deep seated pain in the eye or if cellulitis is present