Ophthalmology Flashcards
Blepharitis signs and symptoms
Red eyelid, swollen if staph
Grittiness and discomfort
Sticky in the mornings
More at risk of styes and chalazions
Poor closure of eyelids
Flaky material (keratin squames) in eyebrows
Secondary conjunctivitis
Causes of blepharitis
Meibomian gland dysfunction (common, posterior)
Seborrhoeic dermatitis (constant sx that wax and wane)
Staph infection (sudden exacerbations with remission sometimes lasting months)
Role of the meibomian glands?
Secretion of oil to prevent rapid evaporation of tear film
Management of blepharitis
Lubricants: help with poor tear film
Lid hygiene - baby shampoo to clean staph from eyelids
Hot spoon bathing: helps meibomian glands empy and prevent chalazion
Topical Abx: chloramphenicol ointment
Oral Abx: sometimes for a few months
Medicated shampoo for scalp to treat dandruff (caused by chronic pityrosporum fungus)
Differences between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis
Bacterial: purulent discharge, eyes stuck together in the mornings, often starts in one eye
Viral: watery/sticky discharge, follicles (raised white lesions), recent URTI, preauricular lymphadenopathy, systemic symptoms [ADENOVIRUS]
Both can cause bloody discharge in severe cases (diphtheria)
VISION NOT AFFECTED
Management of conjunctivitis
Usually self-limiting, resolves after 1-2 weeks
If contact lens wearer - refer for assessment as risk of keratitis
Chloramphenicol ointment (every 2-3 hours) or drops (qds)
Topical fusidic acid BD for pregnant women
Don’t share towels or use contact lenses
No need to exclude from school
Allergic conjunctivitis features
History of atopy, hayfever
Nasal symptoms
Bilateral conjunctival erythema and swelling (chemosis)
Itchy
Papillae (red lesions from capillary dilatation)
Swelling of eyelids
Watery discharge
May be seasonal (pollen) or perennial (dust mite, washing powder)
Allergic conjunctivitis management
- Topical or systemic antihistamines
2. Topical mast cell stabilisers (sodium cromoglicate, nedocromil)
Causes of eyelid infections
Viral:
Herpes simplex/zoster
Papilloma
Bacterial: stye, impetigo
Infestation (nits and lice)
Lid malposition (ectropion or entropion)
Herpes simplex infection features
Vesiculo-bullous eruption
Preceded by pain and erythema
Lid oedema
Oral herpes lesion
Herpes simplex and zoster treatment
Oral and topical antivirals (acyclovir)
Herpes zoster ophthlamicus features
Vesicular rash around the eye
Involvement of nose (Hutchinson’s sign), upper lid and forehead
Caused by varicella-zoster virus
Eye can become involved - corneal inflammation (keratitis/uveitis) with vascularisation, clouding and thinning - REFER TO EYE DEPARTMENT
Causes of ectropion and features to look for
Lid laxity in the elderly or a facial nerve palsy
Palsy: eye closure, corneal sensation, Bell’s phenomenon (eye rolling up when closure attempted)
Sub-conjunctival haemorrhage features and management
Sudden onset bright red eye
Blood can extend to cover the whole globe
Can be spontaneous in the elderly
No treatment, but aways check for orbital or ocular injury if following trauma
What might be causing recurrent bacterial conjunctivitis?
Secondary to nasolacrimal duct obstruction, especially in children
What are the three types of chlamydial infection?
Trachoma (third world countries)
Adult inclusion conjunctivitis
Neonatal conjunctivitis
Trochoma features and management
Caused by chlamydia trachomatis and passed from eye to eye by flies
Conjunctival scarring
dry eyes
in-growing eyelashes
corneal scarring
Management:
Surgery to treat blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis)
Abx
Facial cleanliness
Adult inclusion conjunctivitis features and management
GU infection from chlamydia
Causes follicular conjunctivitis (usually one eye)
Corneal inflammation
Treat underlying infection - SYSTEMIC ERYTHROMYCIN
Opthalmia neonatorum definition and causes
Conjunctivitis in first 3 weeks of life picked up from mother as passing through birth canal
Chlamydia, herpes simplex, gonorrhoea (loss of vision), staph
Types of allergic conjunctivitis
Acute type 1 hypersensitivity
Chronic allergic conjunctivitis (atopic)
Allergy to eye drops
Chronic allergic conjunctivitis (verneal keratoconjunctivitis) features and treatment
Children
Sticky mucous discharge
Large papillae on eyelids
Ulcerated cornea
Treatment: topical steroids, specialist care
Management of chemical conjunctivitis
Irrigate until pH normal
What corneal disorders can cause red eye
Trauma/foreign bodies
Infection (keratitis): viral, bacterial, acanthamoeba (contact lens with fresh water swimming, pain out of proportion)
Allergic: marginal keratitis, immunological keratitis (peripheral ulcerative keratitis)
Features of herpes simplex keratitis
Dendritic ulcer (stained with fluorescein)
Foreign body sensation
Photophobia
Watery discharge/epiphora
Mx: REFERRAL and antiviral (acyclovir)