Opthalmology - Red Eye and Eye Trauma Flashcards
What are the causes of painful red eye?
- eye trauma
- corneal ulcers
- anterior uveitis
- scleritis
- acute angle-closure glaucoma
- endopthalmitis
What is microbial keratitis?
The sight-threatening infection and inflammation of the cornea.
NB: bacterial and viral keratitis are most common.
Risk factors for microbial keratitis.
- contact lens wearer*
- ocular trauma
- dry eye
- immunosuppression
*any red eye in a contact lens wearer is keratitis unless proven otherwise.
Symptoms of microbial keratitis.
- pain
- photophobia
- reduced visual acuity
- discharge
Signs of microbial keratitis.
- conjunctival injection
- focal corneal haziness
- hypopynon (see image)
Discharge characteristics of
a) bacterial keratitis
b) viral keratitis
a) mucopurulent discharge
b) clear, watery discharge
Complications of microbial keratitis.
- rapid, permanent sight loss
Management of microbial keratitis.
Topical:
- antibiotics
- antivirals
- antifungals
Topical cycloplegics, oral analgesics and antiemetics should be prescribed to improve patient comfort.
What is uveitis?
Inflammation of the uveal tract:
- anterior (iris)
- intermediate (ciliary body and vitreous humour)
- posterior (retina, choroid)
What is acute anterior uveitis?
Acute inflammation of the anterior uveal tract (iris).
Symptoms of acute anterior uveitis.
- red, watery eye
- photophobia
- dull ache
- mildly affected visual acuity
Signs of acute anterior uveitis.
- ciliary injection
- irregular pupil
- cloudy cornea
- hazy iris
- hypopynon
Investigating acute anterior uveitis.
Slit lamp examination:
- keratic precipitates
- cells
- flares (clouding)
Causes of acute anterior uveitis.
- HLA-B27 autoimmune conditions (e.g. psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
- inflammatory bowel disease
- sarcoidosis
- infection
Infective causes of acute anterior uveitis.
- HSV
- HZV
- tuberculosis
- syphilis
Treatment aims in acute anterior uveitis.
- control inflammation
- prevent visual loss
- minimise long term complications
Treatment of acute anterior uveitis.
Urgent referral to opthalmology:
Slow tapering regime of topical steroids.
Cycloplegics - paralyse the ciliary muscle and cause relaxation of accommodation.
Risk factors for anterior scleritis.
- rheumatoid arthritis
- infection
- trauma
NB: No HLA association
Symptoms of anterior scleritis.
- painful eye movements
- diplopia
- myositis
- red eye
Management of anterior scleritis.
Investigate to exclude underlying autoimmune and infectious aetiology.
Management involves treating the underlying cause:
- high dose steroids in rheumatological disease
- antibiotics in infection
Urgent referral to ophthalmologist required.
What is acute angle-closure glaucoma (AACG)?
Acutely raised intraocular pressure associated with a physically obstructed anterior chamber angle.
Symptoms of AACG.
- deep ocular ache
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
- reduced visual acuity
- glare / halo around lights
Signs of AACG.
- conjunctival injection
- hazy cornea limiting view of iris and pupil
- fixed, non-reactive, mid-dilated pupil
- high intraocular pressure (>30mmHg)
Normal intraocular pressure.
11-21mmHg
Conservative management of AACG.
- oral analgesia
- oral antiemetics
- lay flat on back*
*gravity helps to bring the lens away from the iris, opening the anterior chamber angle.
Specialist management of AACG.
- systemic pressure-reducing agents
- topical pressure-reducing agents (e.g. beta blockers)
- topical steroids
- peripheral iridotomy
What is endophthalmitis/
Overwhelming infection of internal structures of the eye, potentially resulting in permanent blindness and loss of the eye.
Causes of endophthalmitis.
Exogenous source:
- cataract surgery
- intravitreal injection
Endogenous source:
- severe infection elsewhere (e.g. endocarditis, candida sepsis)
Symptoms of endophthalmitis.
- severe pain
- rapidly progressive visual loss
- photophobia
- floaters
- recent intraocular surgery or injection (<6 weeks)
Patients with endogenous endophthalmitis may be too unwell to report symptoms.
Signs of endophthalmitis.
- diffuse conjunctival injection
- corneal haze
- hypopyon
- relative afferent pupillary defect
Management of endophthalmitis.
True ophthalmic emergency.
Surgical intervention with sampling of vitreous fluid, followed by injection of intravitreal antibiotics.
Patients are admitted for topical and systemic therapy with close monitoring.
Types of eyelid trauma.
- periocular haematoma
- lacerations
History of periocular haematoma.
Blunt force to the eyelid or forehead - it appears more severe than the actual injury.
Management of periocular haematoma.
Self-limiting condition - conservative management including cold compresses and oral analgesia.