Keratitis: Red Eye (Refer) Flashcards
What is keratitis?
Inflammation of the cornea
Potentially sight threatening and should be urgently referred
What are the causes of keratitis?
Bacterial: S. aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa in contact lens wearers
Fungal
Amoebic
Parasitic
Viral: herpes simplex karatitis
Environmental: photokeratitis, exposure keratitis, contact lens acute red eye.
What are the clinical features of keratitis?
Red eye: pain and erythema
Photophobia
Foreign body, gritty sensation
Hypopyon (water-line white exudate)
What is the diagnosis of keratitis?
Refer - particularly contact lens wearers
Slit-lamp diagnosis so some day referral to rule out microbial keratitis
What is the management of keratitis?
Emergency referral
Stop contact lenses
Topical antibiotics: quinolones
Cycloplegic for pain relie
What are the complications of keratitis?
Corneal scarring
Perforation
Endophthalmitis
Visual loss
