Ophthalmology: red eye Flashcards
DDx for red eye
- Conjunctivitis
- Viral Conjunctivitis
- Allergic Conjunctivitis
- Chlamydial Conjunctivitis
- Bacterial Keratitis
- Herpes Simplex (dendritic)
- Herpes Zoster
- Anterior Uveitis
- Subconjunctival Haemorrhage
- Episcleritis
- Scleritis
- Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma
- Chalazion
- Pre-septal and Orbital Cellulitis
Bacterial conjunctivitis
is it common?
most frequent causative organisms?
Common. The most frequent causative pathogens are:
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
Sx of bacterial conjunctivitis
• Irritation & tearing • Discharge • Eyelids stuck together in morning • Intermittent blurred vision • Red eye • Often starts in one eye, spreads to other. Signs • Mucopurulent discharge • Lid erythema /oedema • Diffuse conjunctival injection +/- papillae • Tear film debris
ddx for bacterial conjunctivitis
- Viral conjunctivitis
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Blepharitis
dx of bacterial conjunctiviti
- Clinical
* Conjunctival swab and culture is possible, but not routinely required
mx of bacterial conjunctivitsi
- Clean away discharge
- Wash hands and use separate towels from rest of family
- Broad spectrum topical antibiotics, usually Gutte chloramphenicol qds 1 week
viral conjunctivitis caused by
incubation period
times of year when common? is it contagious
- Often adenovirus type 3
- Incubation period ~ 8 days
- Common in autumn & winter
- Wash hands and clean equipment between patients as highly contagious.
symptoms of viral conjunctivitis
• Acute red eye • Watering • Irritation & soreness • +/- systemic viral symptoms o Sore throat, cough o Cough o Lymphadenopathy • Bilateral in 40% • Intermittent blurred vision
• Ask about contact with conjunctivitis
examination findings in viral conjuncti
- Diffuse conjunctival injection
- Chemosis (oedema of conjunctiva)
- Watery or mucoid discharge
- Mild to moderate eyelid swelling
- Follicular conjunctivitis
- Preauricular adenopathy
- Small corneal epithelial erosions may occur, visible with fluorescein (punctate keratitis)
- May develop corneal opacities (subepithelial infiltrates)
- Explain to patient disease is highly contagious for 2 wks, so avoid work and close contact with family members, use separate towels
- Refer to eye clinic if cornea involved
Tx of viral conjunctivits
- Self limiting ●Warm compresses
* Artificial tears
chlamydial conjuctivitis is spread how?
- Spread is by direct contact with infected genital secretions
- Direct eye to eye contact
difficulties and risk assessment in chlamydial conjunctiviti
Dx can be difficult. Assess risk of STI
STI associated with:
Men: urethritis, proctitis, epididymitis, prostatitis
Women: cystitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease
symptoms of chlamidial conjuntivit
• Acute or sub acute onset of red eye • Consider if viral or bacterial conjunctivitis lasts > 3 weeks • Irritation • Mucopurulent discharge • Typically unilateral then bilateral Signs • Eyelids normal appearance • Conjunctival injection • Well developed follicles • Palpable preauricular lymph nodes • Cornea may have peripheral infiltrates • Chemosis
diagnosis of chlamydial cinjunctivitis
- Fluorescent antibody stain, enzyme immunoassay tests
* Giemsa stain: Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in epithelial cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes.
Mx of chlamydial conjunctivitis
Refer to GUM
Oral: azithromycin
Topical: erythromycin
BACTERIAL KERATITIS = CORNEAL ULCER risk factors
- History of trauma
- Corneal foreign body
- Contact lens wear
- Corneal exposure
Symptoms BACTERIAL KERATITIS
- Unilateral acute pain
- Red eye
- Foreign body sensation
- Decreased vision
- Photophobia
- Watering
Management of bacterial keratitis
Refer to ophthalmology as emergency for:
• Corneal scrapings for Gram stain and cultures
• Stop wearing contact lenses and send for culture if available
• Hourly topical antibiotics, eg ofloxacin
examination findigns in bacterial keratitis/corneal ulcer
• White corneal infiltrate with overlying epithelial defect (stains w/fluorescein) • Diffuse conjunctival injection • Mucopurulent discharge • Possible hypopyon • Anterior chamber cells • Progressive ulceration • Untreated: o corneal perforation o endophthalmitis
ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS
History
- History of atopic disease (eczema, asthma, hayfever)
- Acute contact with allergen (acute allergic conjunctivitis)
- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
ALLERGIC CONJUNCTIVITIS Sx
Symptoms • Itching • Tearing • Intermittent blurry vision Signs • Bilateral • Eyelid oedema • Cornea normal • Diffuse conjunctival injection • Papillae • Watery to stringy mucoid discharge • Lack preauricular lymph nodes.
Mx of allergic conjunctivitis
- Cold compresses
- Artificial tears
- Topical mast cell stabilizers eg Gutte sodium cromoglycate qds 1/12