Week 4: Ophthalmic/Otic Disorders (from book reading)

Question 1

what is the most common disorder that effects the front portion of the eye?

Answer 1

dry eye disease

Question 2

what are the symptoms of dry eye disease?

Answer 2

sandy, gritty feeling or sensation that something is in the eye

Question 3

what is a good OTC product to treat dry eye disease?

Answer 3

artificial tear products

Question 4

what are the symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis?

does it cause impairment of vision?

Answer 4

red eye with watery discharge, most common symptom is itching (pruritus)
no, but blurry vision may occur due to excessive tearing

Question 5

what’s a good nonpharmacologic therapy for allergic conjunctivitis?

Answer 5

cold compression of the eyes to reduce redness and itching

Question 6

what is the first-line OTC product to treat allergic conjunctivitis? what should be recommended if they do not work?

Answer 6

artificial tear products

antihistamines

Question 7

what are the names of the 5 nonprescription decongestants for topical application to the eye?

Answer 7

phenylephrine
naphazoline
tetrahydrozoline
oxymetazoline
brimonidine

Question 8

decongestants are mainly specified to treat?

Answer 8

allergic conjunctivitis

Question 9

what other class of drug is always combined with antihistamines for treatment of the eye?

Answer 9

decongestants

Question 10

what is corneal edema?

Answer 10

swelling of the cornea which may reduce vision

Question 11

what are the symptoms of contact dermatitis of the eyelid?

Answer 11

swelling, scaling, or redness of eyelid, and itching (pruritus)

Question 12

how can contact dermatitis of the eyelid occur?

Answer 12

change in soap, reaction to eye medication, beauty products

Question 13

what is age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?
what are the two types?
which one occurs more frequently?
which one is more severe?

Answer 13

an eye disease that can blur vision
wet and dry
dry AMD
wet AMD

Question 14

what is cerumen?

Answer 14

assists in defense of external ear canal

Question 15

what medication can be used to remove hardened or impacted cerumen?

Answer 15

carbamide peroxide
hydrogen peroxide
docusate

Question 16

what is the only safe and effective treatment for water-clogged ears?

Answer 16

isopropyl alcohol 95%

Question 17

Ruptured tympanic membrane
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?

Answer 17

otitis media or trauma to ear such as a sharp blow, diving into water
brief, severe pain
no itching
abrupt loss of hearing
discharge if caused by otitis media

Question 18

External otitis (swimmer's ear)
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?
other symptoms?

Answer 18

local trauma to outer portion of ear caused by excessive moisture or abrasions; could be due to fungal/bacterial infections
acute onset of pain, ranges from mild to severe, increases with movement
does cause itching
occasional loss of hearing
occasional discharge
swollen ear canal, stuffiness, swollen lymph nodes, fever

Question 19

Otitis media
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?
other symptoms?

Answer 19

bacterial infection of middle ear, usually following an upper resp. tract infection
sharp, steady, frequent pain occurring unilaterally. does not increase w/ movement
no itching
hearing sometimes decreased
possible discharge
bulging eardrum. swollen lymph nodes, fever, dizziness

Question 20

foreign object in ear
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?
other symptoms?

Answer 20

misc. objects/insects
dull-severe pain w/ sense of fullness or pressure during chewing
causes itching
causes loss of hearing
possible discharge
if not removed, acute otitis externa and tinnitus may develop

Question 21

trauma to ear
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?

Answer 21

various events can cause temporary damage
ranges from sharp and steady pain to brief and severe
rarely causes itching
can cause loss of hearing
usually no discharge

Question 22

Tinnitus
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?
other symptoms?

Answer 22

hearing disorders, blocking of outer ear canal, exposure to high noise levels, diseases, drugs
may cause pain
no itching
can cause loss of hearing
no discharge
causes ringing in ear

Question 23

excessive/impacted cerumen
what causes it?
pain?
itching?
loss of hearing?
discharge?
other symptoms?

Answer 23

overactive glands, obstructions
rarely painful, dull pain if present
no itching
usually causes hearing loss
no discharge
sense of fullness or pressure in ears

Question 24

what is otalgia? how should a pharmacist treat it?

Answer 24

ear pain, tell pt to see dr

Question 25

what does EAC stand for?

Answer 25

external auditory canal

Question 26

what is the only approved OTC treatment for earwax softening?

Answer 26

carbamide peroxide 6.5%