The Red Eye Flashcards
What can cause infective keratitis?
For infection to occur - disruption to epithelial surface
Triggers: contact lenses, trauma, dry eyes, pre existing corneal disease, immune compromised state
What symptoms are associated with infective keratitis?
Pain - loss of epithelium exposes free nerve endings
Red eye - inflammation leads to increased vascularity redness
Watery discharge or muco- purulent
Epiphora
Drop in visual acuity - corneal surface and tear film disruption, also corneal oedema
Photophobia
Gritty sensation
On examining the eye, what may been seen in infective keratitis?
White deposit in cornea (corneal infiltrate)
Collection of pus behind cornea in anterior chamber (hypopyon)
Corneal abrasion occurs when…
Surface of epithelium sloughed off
What symptoms and signs are associated with corneal abrasion?
Pain Foreign body sensation Tearing Red eye Variable reduction in vision Photophobia
How do you aid the diagnosis of corneal abrasion?
Use fluorescein drops and blue light on a slit lamp - abrasion will typically appear green
How should corneal abrasions be managed?
Analgaesia - paracetamol or ibuprofen
Prevent secondary infection with tetanus prophylaxis and a topical antibiotic for 7 days (chloramphenicol)
Exclude foreign body trapped under upper eyelid - invert upper lid
Ask contact wearers if they sleep with contacts in and ask when they are changed
What can cause corneal ulcers?
Bacterial: chlamydia, pseudomonas (may progress rapidly)
Viral: herpes simplex, herpes zoster
Fungal: candida, aspergillus
Protozoan: acanthamoeba (in contact lens wearers)
Steroid eye drops can lead to fungal infections which in turn can cause corneal ulcers
Why should ulceration with keratitis (ulcerative keratitis) be treated as an emergency?
To prevent permanent scaring or vision loss
How should corneal ulcers be managed?
Refer Remove contacts Test CN V Until cultures known, alternative chloramphenicol drops (for gram positive bacteria) and ofloxacin (gram neg) Admit if diabetes or immunosuppression
What is another name for herpes simplex corneal ulcers?
Dendritic ulcer
If considering dendritic ulcers, what should be asked in the history?
Past eye, mouth or genital ulcers
How are dendritic ulcers diagnosed?
Slit lamp and apply fluorescein staining - look for green ulcers (suggests active viral replication)
What drug should be given for dendritic ulcers?
Aciclovir eye ointment 5x day
Corneal transplant if significant visual impairment due to scarring
HSV-1 generally infects…
Above the waist - lips, face, eyes
Primary infection in childhood usually, lies dormant it trigeminal ganglion, when reactivates it travels along branches to cause infection e.g cold sores, herpes keratitis
HSV-2 generally infects…
Below the waist and usually sexually acquired, but may be a cause of herpetic keratitis
What is the leading cause of corneal blindness in UK?
Herpes simplex keratitis
Uveitis can be anatomically classified into…
Anterior uveitis
Intermediate uveitis
Posterior uveitis
Panuveitis
Which is the most common type of uveitis?
Anterior uveitis
Anterior uveitis is inflammation where?
Affecting iris +/- ciliary body
Intermediate uveitis is inflammation of…
Posterior part of ciliary body and nearby peripheral retina and choroid
Posterior uveitis is inflammation of…
Choroid and retina
Panuveitis is inflammation of..
Whole uveal tract
Which type of uveitis is likely to present with red eye?
Anterior uveitis
Which group of people does anterior uveitis usually affect?
Adults of working age
How does a patient usually present with anterior uveitis?
Photophobia
Pain
Reduced vision (especially peripheral)
Watery eye that may overflow (not sticky like in conjunctivitis)
Injection around junction of cornea and sclera
Smaller pupil (iris spasm) or irregular due to adhesions between lens and iris (synaechiae)
In anterior uveitis, what can be found on examination?
Circum-corneal injection
Anterior chamber - leucocytes and flare (protein), hypopyon
Posterior synaechiae (in subacute or recurrent cases) which can obstruct passage of aqueous humour