Ophthalmology

Question 1

what is pterygium?
causes?
symptoms?
management?

Answer 1

AKA surfer’s eye, is a raised, wedge-shaped growth of the conjunctiva that extends onto the cornea.

Causes: exposure to UV light, wind and dust

Symptoms:
* Redness/ swelling of conjunctiva
* Yellow spot/ bump on sclera
* Dry/ itchy/ gritty eye
* Blurry vision

Management: mostly self-limiting
* Lubricating eye drops
* Steroid eye drops- if redness/ swelling
* Surgery- severe or affects vision

Question 2

what is dacryocystitis?
types and their causes?
symptoms?
management?

Answer 2

Inflammation of the lacrimal sac (tear sac) due to blockage of the nasolacrimal duct (tear duct)

• Acute- bacterial infection
• Chronic- chronic nasolacrimal duct obstruction
• Acquired- trauma, surgery, meds, neoplasms
• Congenital

Symptoms:
* Acute- area around tear sac is painful, red and swollen with pus formation
* Chronic- bulge around tear sac with pus with chronic conjunctivitis

Management:
* Acute- Abx followed by surgery (warm compress to allow drainage)
* Chronic- surgery