Eyes And Ears Flashcards
Symptoms of conjunctivitis
Bacterial - 1/2 eyes, purulent discharge gritty sensation no associated symptoms - Brookner and golden eye - 1-2 drops 4 times a day if no improvement after 2 days see Gp
Viral - both eyes, water discharge, gritty feeling associated with a cough or cold no treatment, hygiene measures to prevent spread - no towel sharing washing wands etc self limiting
Allergic - both eyes, water itchy rhinitis
Mast cell stabilisers - antihistamines / sympathomimetics - sodium cromoglicate - 2 drops into both eyes when required
Symptoms of blepharitis
Common condition characterised by red swollen eyelids
Crusty / greasy eyelashes
Gritty and burning
Abnormal eyelash growhth and loss of eye lashes
Treatment for blepharitis
Daily cleaning routine including
Using a warm compress
Massaging eyelid gently
Cleaning eyelid with cooled boiled water and cotton buds
Symptoms of dry eye
Dryness grittiness soreness Burning and red eyes Eyelids that stuck Blurred vision improved on blinking Eye watering
Medication can cause dry eye- antidepressants anti histamines
Treatments for dry eye
Loads !!!
Hypermellose and carnellose Polyvinyl alcohol Woolfats Carbomers Sodium hyalutonate.
Caution with contacts!!! Tell them to remove and do not wear
Ear wax
A normal secretion from the ear canal from the ceruminous glands Purpose of wax is too Protect the tympanic memebrane Trap foreign particles / dust Repel water
2 main types - wet honey like and dry grey and flakey
One of the most common causes of temporary deafness. Wax normally migrated to outter ear - self cleaning
When it accumulates in the external auditory canal as it forms a plug
People at risk = hairy ears, narrow ear canals, hearing aids and elderly
Symptoms of ear wax
Discomfort
Fullness or blocked ears
Itch pain dizziness tinnitus
Needs to be determined by exam
Referral for ear wax
Trauma / history of surgery Foreign body in ear canal OTC treatment failure Ringing / dizziness Severe pain Fever In children Discharge
Treatment for ear wax
Fixed and volatile oils (olive)
Docusate sodium
Sodium bicarbonate
Urea and h2o2 - otex
Otitis externa
Inflammatory condition of the pinna or outter ear
Pain Discharge Itchy Red outter ear Deafness
Predisposing symptoms Ear trauma Cotton buds Syringing Dermatitis Chemicals Moisture Humidity
Otitis externa can be
Acute localised - infected hair follicle in outter ear canal - swelling - furunculosis
Treatment with hot flannel, oral analgesics and antibiotics if severe
Acute diffuse - less than 3 months - swimmers ear - more widespread inflammation of ear - can have secondary bacterial or fungal infection
Choline salicylate - earex plus
Acetic acid - earcalm
Chronic - 3 months
Referral for otitis
Children Inflammation of pinna Unsuccessful treatment Impaired hearing Discharge
Otitis media symptoms
Can affect one or both ears
75% of cases under 10
1 in 4 children before 10
Peak 3-6 years
Earache
Discharge if tympanic membrane perforates
Hot irritable ear pulling
Could he infection - fever
Refer if recurrent infections
No improvement in 3 days
Treatment for otitis media
80% will resolve in 3 days with no treatment
Analgesics - para / ibu - if severe and no ease after 2-3 days may need anti biotics
