Painful Red Eye Flashcards
What is a painful red eye?
A red eye associated with pain, often indicating an underlying condition that may require urgent attention.
What are common causes of a painful red eye?
Acute angle-closure glaucoma, keratitis, anterior uveitis, scleritis, or corneal abrasions.
What are the key symptoms of a painful red eye?
Pain, redness, photophobia, vision changes, or discharge.
What is acute angle-closure glaucoma?
A sudden increase in intraocular pressure due to blockage of aqueous humour outflow.
What is anterior uveitis?
Inflammation of the uvea, particularly affecting the anterior chamber of the eye.
What is keratitis?
Inflammation or infection of the cornea, often caused by bacteria, viruses, or trauma.
What are the symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Severe eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and halos around lights.
What are the symptoms of anterior uveitis?
Eye pain, photophobia, redness (circumcorneal), and blurred vision.
What is the prevalence of acute angle-closure glaucoma?
It is less common than open-angle glaucoma but more acute and urgent.
What are risk factors for acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Age, hyperopia (farsightedness), family history, and certain medications.
What are risk factors for keratitis?
Contact lens use, corneal trauma, and immunosuppression.
What clinical signs suggest acute angle-closure glaucoma?
A mid-dilated, fixed pupil; cloudy cornea; and a hard, tender eyeball.
What clinical signs suggest anterior uveitis?
Circumcorneal redness, irregular pupil shape, and cells in the anterior chamber on slit-lamp exam.
What are the investigations for acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Measurement of intraocular pressure (tonometry) and slit-lamp examination.
What investigations are required for keratitis?
Corneal scraping for culture and sensitivity, and slit-lamp examination.
What are the differential diagnoses for a painful red eye?
Acute angle-closure glaucoma, keratitis, anterior uveitis, scleritis, or orbital cellulitis.
How is acute angle-closure glaucoma managed?
Urgent medical treatment with eye drops (e.g., timolol), systemic carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and laser therapy.
How is anterior uveitis managed?
Topical corticosteroids and mydriatic agents, such as cyclopentolate.
How is bacterial keratitis managed?
Intensive topical antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolones.
What are the potential complications of untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma?
Permanent vision loss or optic nerve damage.
What are the complications of untreated anterior uveitis?
Cataracts, glaucoma, or permanent vision impairment.
What features in history suggest a more serious cause of painful red eye?
Sudden vision loss, severe pain, systemic symptoms (e.g., fever), or trauma.
What is the role of an ophthalmologist in managing painful red eye?
Urgent referral is often needed for conditions like acute angle-closure glaucoma or severe keratitis.
How can patients prevent keratitis?
Proper contact lens hygiene, avoiding eye trauma, and protecting eyes from irritants.
Why is it important to act quickly with a painful red eye?
Delay in treatment may result in irreversible vision loss or complications.
