Final exam Flashcards
What are the exclusions for self-treatment for eye disorders?
eye pain, blurry vision (not associated with ointment), sensitivity to light, history of contact lens weak, blunt trauma to the eye, chemical exposure, symptoms lasting longer than 72 hours.
What are the clinical presentations and common causes for dry eye?
Causes: Aging, Environmental conditions, eye strain and drugs with anti-cholinergic properties
Presentation: sandy gritty feeling, excessive tearing initially, and inadequate tears.
What are nonpharmacologic therapies for dry eyes?
avoid environments that increase the evaporation of the tear film, warm compresses
What is the treatment plan for Dry eye?
mild discomfort: low-viscosity artificial tears 1-2x/day
moderate discomfort: low-viscosity or high viscosity artificial tears 3-4x/day. refer
Severe discomfort: non-preserved artificial tears every hour if needed plus nighttime use of Ophthalmic ointment. refer
artificial tears are a lubricant which helps stabilize the tear film preventing tear evaporation
What are important counseling points for eye drops and ointment?
eye drops: wash hands and remove contacts. look directly at the dropper with head tilt back. drop and tilt head down, minimize blinking. wait at least 5 mins before administering a different eye drop and 10 mins before adding ointment. preservative free should be discarded after 30 days.
eye ointment: can stay in the eye longer and can lead to blurry vision. apply inside of lower eye lid avoiding touching tip of tube to the eye. wait for 1-2 mins.
What are common causes and clinical presentations for allergic conjunctivitis?
causes: patients with seasonal allergies
symptoms: redness, waterinf and itching often affecting both eyes.
What are nonpharmacologic therapies for allergic conjunctivitis?
remove and/or avoid exposure to the offending allergen. Apply cold compress to the eyes 3-4 times per day.
What is the treatment plan for allergic conjunctivitis?
artificial tears 1-2x/day (follow up after 24 hours)
Ophthalmic antihistamine/mast cell stabilizer (follow up after 72 hours)
Ketotifen (can be used in those over 3 and relief can occur in mins. not a decongestant)
Olopatadine (can be used in those over 2. can be once or twice daily relief. )
If symptoms are not resolved one should see an eyecare specialist.
What is the treatment plan for loose foreign substances?
An ocular irrigant should be used. Refer is wood or metal fragments are present, continued eye pain, changes in vision or persistent irritation.
What are common causes and clinical presentations for minor eye irritation?
Causes: loose foreign substance, contact lens, wind, sun, smog, chemical fumes or chlorine
Symptoms are immediate tearing and possible redness and pain
What is the treatment plan for minor eye irritation?
artificial tears or ophthalmic ointment.
Zinc sulfate can also be used but only comes in combination with decongestant.
What are common causes and clinical presentations for contact dermatitis?
causes: cosmetics, soaps and foreign substances
symptoms: often both eyes, swelling, scaling, redness and itching mostly on the eye lid.
can use a cold compress and PO antihistamines
What are common causes for excessive/impacted cerumen?
older age, wearing hearing aids or ear pulgs, excessive hair growth, overactive ceruminous glands and finally abnormally narrow or misshapen external auditory canal
What are the clinical presentations for excessive/impacted cerumen?
fullness or pressure in ear, hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, chronic cough, dull/mild pain
What are exclusions for self-treatment for otic disorders?
signs of infection, pain associated with ear discharge, dizziness, bleeding or trauma, less than 12 years with excessive/impacted cerumen. abrupt hearing loss and sharp pain.
