keratitis Flashcards
1
Q
what is keratitis?
A
inflammation of the cornea
2
Q
why is microbial keratitis different from conjunctivitis?
A
microbial keratitis is potentially sight threatening and should therefore be urgently evaluated and treated
3
Q
what are the causes of keratitis?
A
- bacterial
- S. aureus
- P. aeruginosa in contact lens wearers
- fungal
- amoebic
- acanthamoebic keratitis (5%)
- increased incidence if eye exposure to soil/contaminated water
- parasitic
- onchocercal keratitis (‘river blindness’)
4
Q
what are other factors that may cause keratitis?
A
- viral
- herpes simplex keratitis
- environmental
- photokeratitis
- exposure keratitis
- contact lens acute red eye (CLARE)
5
Q
what are the clinical features of keratitis?
A
- red eye: pain and erythema
- photophobia
- foreign body, gritty sensation
- hypopyon may be seen
6
Q
how should you assess contact lens wearers who present with a painful red eye?
A
same day referral to eye specialist to rule out microbial keratitis
accurate dx by slit-lamp
7
Q
how is microbial keratitis managed?
A
- stop using contact lens until sx fully resolved
-
topical abx
- quinolones 1st line
-
cycloplegics for pain relief
- e.g. cyclopentolate
8
Q
what are the complications of microbial keratitis?
A
- corneal scarring
- perforation
- endophthalmitis
- visual loss