Corneal Disorders Flashcards
(47 cards)
Corneal Disorders include?
Subconjunctival hemorrhage, Keratoconus, Corneal abrasions, Foreign bodies, Corneal ulcers (bacterial, herpes simplex, fungal, acathamoeba, herpes zoster)
Red Flags Include?
Reduction of visual acuity. Severe deep eye pain. Ciliary flush. Photophobia. Severe foreign body sensation that prevents the patient from keeping the eye open. Corneal opacity. Fixed pupil. Severe headache with nausea
Describe a Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
This is blood that has extravasated from the vessels (this is NOT injection)
May occur spontaneously or with coughing, sneezing, straining, or vomiting
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage symptoms
Normal visual acuity. Absence of: discharge, photophobia, and foreign body sensation
Subconjunctival Hemorrhage treatment
Patient should be educated that the blood will be resorbed over a 1-2 week period. If recurrent or family history of bleeding disorder, consider a workup for hematologic or coagulation abnormality
Keratoconus
A degenerative disorder of the eye in which structural changes within the cornea cause it to thin and change to a more conical shape than its normal gradual curve.
Keratoconus symptoms
Substantial distortion of vision. Photophobia.
Typically diagnosed in the patient’s adolescent years. If both eyes, patients may have difficulty with driving or reading.
Keratoconus treatment
corrective lenses fitted by a specialist are effective enough to allow the patient to continue to drive legally and likewise function normally. Further progression of the disease may require surgery, including intrastromal corneal ring segments, cross-linking, mini asymmetric radial keratotomy and, in 25% of cases, corneal transplantation.
Corneal Abrasion
any defect in the corneal surface epithelium.
Corneal Abrasion Classifications
Traumatic. Foreign-body related. Contact lens related. Spontaneous (also known as recurrent erosions)
Traumatic Corneal Abrasion
Mechanical trauma to the eye which results in defect in epithelial surface
Causes of traumatic corneal abrasion
Fingernails. Paws. Pieces of paper or cardboard. Make-up applicators. Hand tools. Branches. Leaves.
Foreign body lodged under eyelid
Foreign Body Related Corneal Abrasion
Defects in corneal epithelium that are left behind after removal or spontaneous dislodging of a corneal foreign body
Causes of Foreign Body Related Corneal Abrasion
Wood. Glass. Plastic. Fiberglass
Contact Lens Related Corneal Abrasions
Defects in corneal epithelium that are left behind after removal of over-worn, improperly fitting, or improperly cleaned contact lens
Causes of Contact Lens Related Corneal Abrasions
Caused by physical contact with the lens, debris on or under the lens or poor handling of the lens during insertion or removal
***Results from a foreign body that is associated with specific pathogens
Clinical Presentation Corneal Abrasions
Usually a lot of eye pain. Inability to open eye due to foreign body sensation. Photophobia. Patients are often too uncomfortable to work, drive, or read
Presumed Corneal Abrasion
Pain + Foreign body sensation
What does PERRLA stand for?
Pupils equal round reactive to light accommodation
Large nonreactive or irregular pupil?
Suggests injury to pupillary sphincter from penetrating trauma or blunt trauma… need to call the ophthalmologist
Eye examination of possible corneal abrasion
visual acuity!! May be normal if the abrasion is away from visual axis. Abnormal if abrasion is in visual axis. Injection. There should be no discharge other than tears. There should be no corneal opacity. Perform funduscopic exam. Fluoroscein staining. upper eyelid eversion to search for retained foreign body
Traumatic and foreign body abrasions
treatment
Topical antibiotics, Ointment is better than drops because it functions as a lubricant
Erythromycin and sulfacetamide are excellent choices IN THE ABSENSE OF CONTACT LENS TRAUMA. Usually give every 4-6 hours for 5 days.
Patching problems
irritating and results in loss of depth perception.
Restricts visual fields. Patients shouldn’t drive with patch. Some patient’s may be incapacitated by it.
May obscure if an infectious process is developing
Traumatic and foreign body abrasions
pain control
Cycloplegic agents- Inhibit pupil constricting to light which helps with pain (will NOT usually relieve foreign-body sensation however). Examples include Topicamide or Cyclopentolate (Cyclogyl)
Systemic therapy-Opioids