V2- 6.1.7 Manage red eye

Question 1

What is the difference between follicles and papillae?

Answer 1

Follicles: small, dome shaped nodules without a prominent
central blood vessel – appear paler on the surface and red
on the base
Papillae: appear redder on the surface and pale on the base

Question 2

What bacterial strain causes bacterial conjunctivitis?

Answer 2

infection by * Staphylococcus epidermis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
pneumoniae etc.

Question 3

Name the symptoms of bacterial.conj?

Answer 3

• usually becomes bilateral (one eye before the other)
• Acute onset Red, sticky, discomfort (gritty eyes) with pus-like discharge(affect va), crusting lids .
• People around patient is often affected (very contagious)
  –> (no pain or photophobia)

Question 4

What are the SIGNS of bacterial.c?

Answer 4

• Yellow, pus-like (mucopurulent) discharge
• Conjunctival hyperaemia
• Inflamed eyelids
• Lid eversion: ->papillae
• Normal VA – if blurred vision, clears with blink
• Normal corneas, ACs and pupils

Question 5

What is the management for Bacterial.C ?

Answer 5

• Self-limiting, will resolve between 5-7days even without treatment.
• Bathe/clean lids with lint or cotton dipped in sterile saline or boiled (cooled) water to remove
  crusting.
• If severe and has not started to resolve in 3days, advice topical antibiotics such as
  chloramphenicol to use 2-hourly while awake for 2 days then reduce to 4x daily for a week.
• Warn patients that they are contagious for as long as the eyes are red – do not share
  pillows/towels/flannels, avoid touching eyes/wash hands frequently
  –>cease CL wear

Question 6

When would you refer bacterial.c?

Answer 6

• Reduced vision, pain, photophobia at any stage, or corneal involvement
• Not better in 2 weeks

Question 7

How would you explain bacterial conjunctivitis ? (laymans)

Question 8

What is the conjunctiva?

Answer 8

-Thin, clear membrane that protects your eye.
-It covers the inside of your eyelid and the white of your eye (the sclera).
- creates the mucus layer that forms part of your tears.
3parts: palpebra conjunctiva, the bulbar conjunctiva and the conjunctiva fornix.