Ophthalmology Flashcards
What are the differential diagnosis for a painless red eye?
Conjunctivitis
Episcleritis
Subconjunctival haemorrhage
What are the differential diagnosis for a painful red eye?
Glaucoma Anterior uveitis Scleritis Corneal abrasions or ulceration Keratitis Foreign body Traumatic or chemical body
What are the red flags for a red eye?
Impaired vision
Pain/photophobia
Lack of ocular discharge
Define conjunctivitis
Inflammation and redness of the conjunctiva
Symptoms of conjunctivitis
Red eyes Unilateral or bilateral Vision unaffected Bloodshot Itchy or gritty sensation Discharge from the eye Does not cause pain, photophobia or reduced visual acuity
Symptoms of bacterial conjunctivitis
Purulent discharge -> pus Eye may be stuck together in the morning Highly contagious Starts in one eye and spreads to other Papillae
What are the causative organisms for bacterial conjunctivitis?
Staphylococcus
Streptococcus
Haemophilus
Neisseria
Symptoms for viral conjunctivitis
Clear discharge (serous)
Dry cough, sore throat, blocked nose
Preauricular lymph nodes (in front of ears)
Recent URTI
Commonest cause of viral conjunctivitis?
Adenovirus -> causes follicles
What type of hypersensitivity is allergic conjunctivis?
Type 1 hypersensitivity
Caused by contact with allergens
Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis
Most frequent type of conjunctivitis
Watery discharge - serous
Itch
Caused by contact with allergens
Treatment for allergic conjunctivitis
Antihistamines (oral or topical) used to reduce symptoms
Treatment for bacterial conjunctivitis
Chloramphenicol
Fuscidic acid
General treatment for conjunctivitis
Reassurance (resolves after 1-2 weeks)
Good hygiene
Define ophthalmia neonatorum
Conjunctivitis in the first 3 weeks of life
Purulent discharge
Causes of ophthalmia neonatorum
Chlamydia
Herpes simplex
Gonorrhoea
Staphylococcus/streptococcus
Treatment for chlamydia
Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Treatment for gonorrohoea
Cefotaxime and chloramphenicol
Define episcleritis
Thin vascular layer between sclera and conjunctiva
Symptoms of episcleritis
Common, benign Acute onset Unilateral (bilateral in 30%) Typically not painful Segmental redness Dilated episcleral vessels Watering of eye No discharge Visual acuity is normal
Treatment for episcleritis
Self-limiting and will recover in 1-4 weeks
Artificial tears
Topical or systemic NSAIDs (e.g. naproxen)
Define subconjunctival haemorrhage
Small blood vessel within the conjunctiva ruptures and releases blood into the space between the sclera and the conjunctiva
When is a subconjunctival haemorrhage likely to occur?
After episodes of strenous activity such as heavy coughing, weight lifting or straining when constipated
Causes of subconjunctival haemorrhage
Hypertension
Whooping cough
Trauma
Medications (Warfarin, NOAC’s antiplatelets)
Bleeding disorders (e.g. thrombocytopenia)
Symptoms of subconjunctival haemorrhage
Sudden onset
Painless - does not affect vision
Bright red covering white section
Management of subconjunctival haemorrhage
Resolves spontaneously roughly two weeks
Define scleritis
Inflammation of the full thickness of the sclera
More serious than episcleritis
Rare
What is the most serious type of scleritis?
Necrotising scleritis
Can cause visual impairment and perforation of the sclera
What conditions are associated with scleritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis SLE Inflammatory bowel disease Sarcoidosis Wegener's granulomatosis
Symptoms of scleritis
Constant, severe dull ache Severe pain Pain with eye movement Eye watering -> no discharge Photophobia Reduced visual acuity Headache Abnormal pupil reaction to light Tenderness to palpation of the eye
Management of scleritis
Urgent referral within 24 hours
Oral NSAIDs
Oral high-dose prednisolone
Treat underlying condition - Methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis
Define anterior uveitis (iritis)
Inflammation in the anterior uvea (comprises the iris and ciliary body)
Posterior uvea contains the choroid (inflammation here is termed choroiditis)
Causes of anterior uveitis
Ankylosing spondylitis Inflammatory bowel disease Reactive arthritis Sarcoidosis Syphilis Lyme disease TB Herpes simplex Behcet's disease
Symptoms of anterior uveitis
Unilateral Dull, aching painful red eye Ciliary flush (ring of red spreading from the cornea outwards) Reduced visual acuity - blurred vision Photophobia Pain on movement Lacrimation (excessive tear production) Floaters and flashes Miosis (constricted pupil) Abnormally shaped pupil due to posterior synechiae (adhesions)
Questions to ask when suspecting anterior uveitis?
Headaches Mouth ulcers (Behcet's disease) Joint problems Chest and skin disease GU symptoms
Investigations for anterior uveitis
Slit lamp with dilated pupil to visualise inflammatory cells (leucocytes), measure IOP too
Fundus fluorescein and indocyanide green-angiography
Treatment for anterior uveitis
Urgent same day referral to ophthalmologist
Topical prednisolone
Cyclopentolate or atropine -> to dilate the pupil
DMARDs or TNF inhibitors for immunosuppression
Laser therapy/surgery (vitrectomy) in severe cases
Define keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea
Causes of keratitis
Viral = herpes simplex Bacterial = psuedomonas or staphylococcus Fungal = candida or aspergillus
Symptoms of herpes simplex keratitis
Painful red eye Photophobia Vesicles around the eye Watery discharge Foreign body sensation Reduced visual acuity
Investigations for viral keratitis
Staining with fluorescein - shows dendritic corneal ulcer
Slit lamp examination
Corneal swabs or scrapings
Management for viral keratitis
Same day urgent referral to ophthalmologist
Aciclovir (topical or oral)
Don’t use steroids without expert opinion
Symptoms of bacterial keratitis
Painful red eye
Loss of vision
Signs: Hazy cornea with central abscess
Management of bacterial keratitis
Requires specialist
Intense antibiotics
Define corneal abrasions
Scratches or damage to the cornea
Causes of corneal abrasions
Contact lenses - may have psuedomonas infection Foreign bodies Finger nails Eyelashes Entropian (inward turning eyelid)
Symptoms of corneal abrasions
History of contact lenses/foreign body Painful red eye Foreign body sensation Watering eye Blurring vision Photophobia
Investigations for corneal abrasions
Staining with fluorescein -> yellow/orange colour
Slit lamp examination
Management for corneal abrasions
Same day referral to ophthalmologist Analgesia - paracetamol Lubricating eye drops Antibiotic eye drops - chloramphenicol Cyclopentolate eye drops - dilate pupil and improves photophobia
Usually heal over 2-3 days
Define keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Dry eyes
What are the components of tears?
Watery layer (main, middle) - lacrimal glands Oily layer (thin outer) - meibomian glands Mucus layer (inner) - conjunctiva
Causes of dry eyes
Old age
Medications (beta blockers, antihistamines, antidep, diuretics)
Systemic illness (RA, sarcoidosis, Sjogren’s)
Blepharitis (decreased tear production)
Allergic conjunctivitis
Increased evapouration
Symptoms of dry eyes
Irritation
Sight blurring
Photophobia - discomfort when looking at bright lights
Investigations for dry eyes
Schirmer’s test - strip of filter paper
Slit lamp
Assessment of corneal damage - fluorescein stain
Treatment for dry eyes
Artificial tears
Drops
Gels
Define blepharitis
Inflammation of the eyelids
Symptoms of blepharitis
Gritty, irritable eyes Itching Dry sensation Loss of eyelashes Thick, red, inflamed eyelids Watery discharge
What can blepharitis lead to?
Styes and chalazions
Treatment for blepharitis
Eyelid hygiene - baby shampoo
Oral antibiotics - erythromycin
Hot spoon bathing
Lubricants
What are the two types of styes?
Hordeolum externum - Staphylococcus infection of the glands of Zeis or gland of Moll.
Can cause tender red lump along the eyelid that may contain pus
Hordeolum internum - Infection of Meibomian glands. They are deeper, tend to be more painful and may point inwards
Management of styes
Hot compression
Analgesia
Define Chalazion
Occurs when a Meibomian gland (may develop from hordeolum internum) becomes blocked and swells
It is typically not tender and hard
Management of Chalazion
Hot compression
Consider topic antibiotics (Chloramphenicol) if inflamed
Define entropian
The eyelid (usually lower lid) turns inwards with the lashes against the eyeball