Red Eye Flashcards
(40 cards)
Primary care red eye probloems
- bilateral
- asymptomatic/scratchy/itchy
- bright red
- normal VA
- dryness or wateriness
Tertiary care red eye problems
- unilateral
- painful
- deep red
- decreased VA
- photophobia
Examples of primary care red eye problems
- blepharitis
- conjunctivitis
- foreign body
- subconjunctival haemorrhage
- pterygium/ pingeculum
Useful diagnostic feaures of viral conjunctivitis
- preauricular nodes
- history of URTI
- becomes bilateral
Treatment of viral conjunctivitis
- stay at home
- symptomatic treatment
Treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis
- wash frequently with boiled water on a clean swab
- topical antibiotic (chloromycetin)
Treatment for gonococcal conjunctivitis
- ceftriaxone 125mg IMI stat
- topical ciprofloxacin half hrly
How to diagnose chlamydial conjunctivitis
- immunofluorescence of conjunctival swab
Treatment of chlamydial conjunctivitis
- topical tetracycline ointment
- systemic tetracycline if STD symptoms
Signs of vernal conjunctivitis
- Tranta’s dots (dark skin)
- tarsal papillae in pale skine
Treatment of acute itchy eye (allergic)
- remove the cause
- topical or systemic antihistamine
Treatment of seasonal/perennial/atopic conjunctivitis
- if mild, topical antihistamines, vasoconstrictors or lubricants
- if chronic, prophylactic sodium chromoglycate QID
- if severe, refer for steroid treatment
What causes a phlycten?
- TB or staph hypersensitivity
Treatment of a phylcten
- treat cause
- refer for eye management
Causes of pterygium and pingueculum
- UV light exposure
- living in a dry dusty environment
- hereditary factors
Treatment of pterygium and pingueculum
- artificial tears for scratchy burny lesions
- vasoconstrictors
- topical NSAIDS for inflamed lesions
- steroids may be used by ophthalmologists
When is surgery used for a pterygium
- if the pupil margin is invaded
Complications of pyterygium surgery
- scleral melt
- severe pain
- recurrence
Treatment of arc eye
- panado
- cold compress
- reassure that it should improve in 48hr
- max 1 drop LA
What is trichiasis
ingrown eyelash
Characteristics of episcleritis
- pricking pain
- superficial redness
- blanches with phenylephrine
Treatment of episcleritis
- none if mild
- topical or systemic NSAIDS if marked discomfort
Treatment of Meibomian cyst/ chalazion
- lid massage with hot compress
- drain if large
- doxycycline 100mg po dly for 3 months is recurrent/multiple
Treatment of a stye
- warm compress
- topical antibiotic ointment
