Eye infection Flashcards
What is Conjunctivitis
This is redness and inflammation of the conjunctiva.
Causes of Conjunctivitis
- Bacterial
- Viral
- Allergic
List the organism that cause Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Staphylococcus species,
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, Haemophilus influenzae
and Moraxella catarrhalis.
Other bacterial causes of conjunctivitis can be transmitted from mother to baby. True or False
True
List organism that can cause infection from mother to fetus
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.
List the causes of viral conjunctivitis
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.
Allergic reactions can cause symptoms similar to conjunctivitis true or false
True
List the symptoms of allergic Conjunctivitis
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.
what type of formulation would be useful to treat bacterial conjunctivitis?
drops and ointment
______________are the cause of 90% of cases of styes
Staphylococci
what are the presenting symptoms of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Bilateral - affecting both eyes
Watery discharge
Eye feel itchy
Often seasonal - but not always
what are the presenting symptoms for bacterial conjunctivitis
Bilateral or Unilateral - usually affecting only one eye, then spreading
Viscous discharge
Eyes feel sore and gritty
what are the presenting symptoms for viral conjunctivitis
Irritation
Watery discharge
Red eye
what antibacterial agent should be used?
chloramphenicol
what questions to ask for differential diagnosis
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
other treatment for eyes?
Hypromellose - dry eyes
PROPAMIDINE ISETIONATE - for Acanthamoeba keratitis infections (specialist use only),
Local treatment of eye infections
what are the side effects of eye drops and ointments
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.
what additional advise to give patients
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.
when do you refer patients to GP or eye clinic
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
