Other causes of red eye Flashcards
Describe Pinguecula:
• Degenerated conjunctiva
- Break down of collagen fibres in conjunctival stroma
- Thinning of overlying epithelium
• Prevalence increases with age
- Seen in most Px > 70 years old
• UV light exposure catalyses development
- Countries with high sunlight levels
- Outdoor occupation
• Chronic eye irritation increases risks
Pinguecula: Symptoms
• Usually asymptomatic
• May notice yellow-white lump: concerned
• Can become inflamed
- Pingueculitis
- Irritation, foreign body sensation and localised redness
Pinguecula: Signs
• Yellow-white, raised lump on bulbar conjunctiva
•Resembles fatty deposit
• Usually bilateral
- Close to limbus, 3 + 9 O’clock position
- Nasal more common than temporal
- Although many patients develop both
• Pingueculitis- localised redness
Pinguecula: Management
• Benign - no specific treatment required
- Reassure
• Advice: UV protective measures
• Pingueculitis:
- cold compresses
- artificial tears/ocular lubricants
• Surgical removal possible, but rarely performed; cosmetic, severe, chronic irritation
Pterygium: Describe
• Fibrovascular growth
- Triangular-shaped, extends from bulbar conjunctiva
- Crosses limbus and invades cornea
• UV light exposure raises risk
- Countries with high sunlight levels
- Outdoor occupation
• Chronic dryness and irritation of ocular surface also increases risk
- Dust, wind
Pterygium: Symptoms
• Early, small pterygium asymptomatic
• At limbus: disrupts tear film, dryness/irritation
• Developed: cosmetic concern
• Advances across cornea:
- Warpage induces irregular astigmatism
- Visual impairment despite refractive correction
- Threatens visual axis
• Acute inflammatory episodes:
- Irritation/dryness
- Increased redness
Pterygium: Signs
• Fibrovascular tissue:
- Milky-cloudy white
- Translucent
- Network of fine blood vessels
• Apex orientated towards pupil
• Usually bilateral
• More commonly originate from nasal bulbar
Pterygium: Management
• Advice: UV protective measures
• Monitor progression, record size
- Acute Inflammatory Episodes: cold compresses, artificial tears/lubricants
- More severe: topical NSAIDS or steroids
• Surgical removal
Pterygium: Management
(Surgical removal indications)
•Proximity to visual axis
• Induced irregular astigmatism leading to visual impairment
• Chronic inflammation, unresponsive to treatment
• Cosmetically unacceptable
Routine referral to Ophthalmologist
Subconctival Haemorrhage: Describe
• Rupture of a fine blood vessel
• Blood leaks into space underneath conjunctiva
• Similar to bruise on skin
• Most are idiopathic
Subconctival Haemorrhage: Risk factors
- Raised pressure in venous due to coughing, straining, sneezing, vomiting
- Trauma
- Vascular disorders
Subconctival Haemorrhage: Symptoms
• Asymptomatic
• Px may notice red eye
• Dramatic=concerned
• Sometimes mild irritation
• Never painful
Subconctival Haemorrhage: Signs
• Typically unilateral
• Distinctive appearance- blood is fixed and immobile
• Edges of haemorrhage may appear fainter
Subconctival Haemorrhage: Management
• Reassure; self limiting 5-10 days
• Irritation:
- Cold compresses
- Artificial tears/ocular lubricants
- Recurrent can indicate systemic hypertension or blood clotting disorders
- Routine referral if recurrent
Describe Pre-septal cellulitis:
• Bacterial infection of tissue anterior to orbital septum
• No extension to more posterior orbital tissue
• Bacteria may spread from nearby site:
- Ocular (e.g. hordeolum, conjunctivitis)
- Trauma (e.g. tree branch, insect bite/sting)
• May be spread of more remote infection:
- Sinusitis (sinus infection)
- Middle ear infection