Eyes Flashcards
What is conjunctivitis?
Inflammation of conjunctiva due to allergy or infection
What are the causes and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?
Hay fever or allergens e.g. eye cosmetics, eye drop ingredients
Symptoms include red eye, watery discharge, itchy, usually both eyes affected, possible other systemic sympoms
What is the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis?
Mast cell stabiliser eye drops e.g. sodium cromoglicate- Opticrom allergy
Antihistamine/decongestant drops e.g. antazoline/ xylometazoline- Otrivine antistin
POM treatments- mast cell stabilisers, antihistamines, short term topical steroids
What are the causes and symptoms of infective conjunctivitis?
Bacterial or viral infection
Symptoms include red eye, discharge (viral- watery, bacterial- sticky, purulent), usually starts in one eye then spreads to the other, slightly painful gritty sensation, vision unaffected, viral may be associated with other upper RTI symptoms
What is the treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis?
Antibacterial eye drops/ointments e.g. propamidine- Golden eye, Brolene
Chloramphenicol e.g. Optrex infected eyes, golden eyes antibiotic; for acute bacterial conjunctivitis in over 2s as a course of five days, store in fridge
GP in 48 hrs if no improvement/symptoms worsen
What is the treatment for viral conjunctivitis?
Usually self limiting but antibacterial drops will prevent secondary infection
What is a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage?
Burst blood vessel (looks worse than it is)
What are the symptoms and treatment of a sub-conjunctival haemorrhage?
Red eye, no pain, spontaneous event
No treatment required as will heal spontaneously
What are the symptoms and causes of inflamed/tired eye?
Regular rubbing of eyes
Rims of eyes red/bloodshot
Irritation
Causes: overexposure to smoke, driving, working at VDU
What is the treatment for inflamed/tired eye?
Witch hazel- astringent, anti-inflammatory properties e.g. Optrex eye wash, Optrex sore eyes
Vasoconstrictors shrink dilated blood vessels which cause redness, naphazoline e.g. Optrex bloodshot eyes, Murine irritation and redness relief eye drops
What is dry eye?
Deficiency of the conjunctival mucus or a tear deficiency leading to dry, irritated eyes
What are the causes of dry eye?
Age, environment, medication e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, lack of blinking, contact lenses, changes in hormone levels, systemic diseases e.g. rheumatoid arthritis
When should dry eye be referred?
Associated disease e.g. Sjogren’s syndrome, children, diabetics, history of trauma to eyes, cause is not obvious or is complex, suspected ADR (treat in meantime), if symptoms have not responded to OTC treatment
What is the treatment for dry eye?
Advise to avoid causative factors
Artificial tears eye drops e.g. hypromellose, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium hyaluronate
Artificial tears eye gels e.g. Carbomer 980
Hydrophobic ocular lubricants e.g. lacrilube
Dry eyes spray
Why should a blunt injury to the eye always be referred?
May cause increase in pressure, detachment of retina or corneal scarring
Other eye conditions that need referring
Glaucoma
Iritis (pain in eye, red, pupil small)
Corneal ulcer (main symptom is pain)
What is a stye?
Inflammation of the margin of one eyelid, caused by infection of the hair follicle gland at the base of an eyelid
What are the symptoms of a stye?
Irritation, tender but no real pain, red swelling by base of eyelash
What is the treatment for a stye?
Should resolve by itself
Can use hot compress to aid discharge
Prevent spreading using Golden eye ointment or Brolene eye ointment
Refer if severe
What is blepharitis?
Chronic condition- redness/irritation of the eyelid margins
Scales can adhere to the base of the eyelid
Can be associated with seborrhoeic dermatitis or dandruff
What is the treatment for blepharitis?
Keep eyes clean
Treat infection
Replace tears
Hydrophobic ocular lubricants can be used to soften crusts e.g. lacrilube
What is ectropion?
Eyelids turn out, tears roll down face
Can be damage to tear film
Refer
What is entropion?
Eyelids invert, lashes point inwards, can irritate/scar eyes, need lubrication/surgery
Refer
What is a chalazion?
Hard pea like lump under the skin of the eyelids
Granuloma of meibomian gland, leads to blocked duct, leads to accumulation of fluid, also known as Meibomian cyst
Should resolve spontaneously
Refer if persistent/recurrent
What is ptosis?
Dropping of upper eyelid(s)
Often a sign of systemic disease
Refer
General referral criteria
Pain
Changes in vision
Severe or persistent symptoms
Symptoms indicate injury or systemic condition
Non-response to antibacterial treatment (2 days)
Cannot be treated OTC
Use of ophthalmic preparations
Good hygiene
Potential problems with contact lenses- don’t wear soft contact lenses while receiving treatment as constituents can adhere to or abord into them
Expiry dates
