NRG 3100 Eye and Ear Disorders

week 4

vestibular system

located in the inner ear, is involved in maintaining balance and spatial orientation. movement of endolymph (fluid) in the semicircular canals during head rotation provides information about motion to the brain .

cochlea

auditory portion of the inner ear responsible for hearing. The cochlea contains hair cells that are vital for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals send to the brain.

Sensorineural hearing loss

caused by a problem with the auditory or auditor nerve, sound vibrations can travel to the inner ear, but a hearing deficit results from the impaired transmission of auditory information to the brain.

Conductive hearing loss

usually a result of a disruption to the sound’s path as it travels from the outer/ middle ear to the inner ear.

Otitis Media

inflammation or infection of the middle ear, the space behind the eardrum, often caused by viruses or bacteria from colds, leading to fluid buildup, pain, muffled hearing, and fever

How does Otitis Media Usually occur?

usually follows a respiratory infections (cold) when Eustachian tubes, which drain the middle ear, get blocked, trapping fluid that can get infected.

Normal ear pic

otitis media ear pic

What is AOM ?

bacterial infection causing inflammation in the middle ear

AOM symptoms?

ear pain (otalgia) fever, irritability, crying, poor sleep, pulling at the ear

AOM appearance?

inflamed, opaque eardrum, often bulging

What is OME?

fluid behind the eardrum (middle ear effusion) without signs of infection

OME symptoms?

hearing loss, feeling of fullness, sometimes tinnitus, but no fever or significant pain.

OME apperance?

Dull eardrum, fluid visible behind it, decreased mobility

normal ear inside pic

Acute otits media pic

otitis media with effusion pic

perforated otitis media pic

AOM Treatment

antibiotics (amoxicillin)

OME Treatment

watchful waiting; most cases resolve within weeks/ months without antibiotics, as antibiotics arent indicated

Otitis Externa

Known as “swimmer’s ear” is an inflammation, irritation, or infection of the outer ear to the eardrum. typically caused by pseudomonas of staphylococcus bacteria.

OE Common Causes:

Water exposure, Trauma, Irritants, Skin conditions

OE Treatment

antibiotic or anti fungal ear drops, often combined with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.

pain relievers ( acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

keeping ear dry, and avoiding irritation

ear wick: if the canal is very swollen, a tiny sponge can be interred to deliver medicine effectively

Application of the ear drops age >3

gently pull the other ear up and backward

Application of the ear drops age <3

pull ear down and back

Tinnitis

the perception of sound (ringing, buzzing, hissing) in the ears or head when no external source exists.

its a symptom, not a disease

can be constant or intermittent, high low- pitched, and in one or both ears.

Tinnitis Common Causes

Hearing loss, noise, exposure, ear issues, head/neck trauma, vascular conditions, medications (certain drug NSAIDs, some antibiotic)

Tinnitis Treatment

Often managed by treating the underlying cause or using sound therapies, hearing aids, or counseling to cope with the impact on daily life.

Vertigo

the intense sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning or tilting, even when still.

often due to inner ear (vestibular system) issues but also linked to brain problems

causing imbalance, nausea, and difficulty walking

Common Causes (peripheral vertigo- inner ear)

Benign Paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

vestibular Neuritis/ labyrinthtis

Meinere’s Disease

Dix-Hallpike maneuver to check for BPPV

Quickly moving a seated patient to a lying positions with their head extended and turned to one side to provoke characteristic spinning dizziness and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) by dislodging inner ear crystals, helping to pinpoint the affected semicircular canal.

BPPV treatments

Epley Maneuver, Meclizine, Diphenhydramin, Scopolamine, Benzodiasepine

Conjunctivitis

"pink eye," is inflammation of the eye's clear membrane (conjunctiva), causing redness, Itching, and gritty sensations, often with a crusty discharge
• typically due to viruses, bacteria, or allergies

Conjunctivitis

Viral: Cold compresses, artificial tears; usually resolves in 1-2 weeks.
Bacterial: Antibiotic eye drops or ointments prescribed by a doctor. Allergic: Avoid allergens; antihistamine drops or oral meds, cold compresses. General: Keep eyes clean with warm water; contact lens wearers should stop using
lenses. No longer contagious after 24 ]hours of treatment.

Chalazion

painless, slow, developing lump or cyst in the eyelid. develops slowly. caused by a blocked oild gland AKA meibomian gland

Hordeolum

painful, red, infected lump often at the eyelid margin, near the lash
line. Tender to touch, feels like something is in the eye. caused by a bacterial infection caused by staph of an eyelash follicle or oil gland, appearing
quickly

Chalazion Treatmen

Steroids or drainage procedures for stubborn cases. Warm compresses, gentle
massage, eyelid hygiene

Hordeolum Treatment:

May need antibiotics (topical/oral) Warm compresses, gentle
massage, eyelid hygiene

Blepharitis

chronic eyelid inflammation causing redness,itching, crusting, and irritation often due to excess bacteria, clogged oil glands, or skin conditions like dandruff or rosacea

Blepharitis symptoms

Red, swollen, itchy, or burning eyelids. Greasy eyelids or flaky scales at the base of eyelashes (like dandruff). sticking together, especially upon waking. Feeling of grit or sand in the eyes. Excessive tearing or dry eyes

Blepharitis Treatment

warm compresses, eyelid hygiene, medications, supplements, address underlying condtions

Corneal Abrasion

a scratch on the cornea causing pain, redness, tearing, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and a gritty feeling, often from foreign objects, fingernails, or contact lens issues • typically healing within days with antibiotic drops/ointment and sometimes a patch • deep scratches can lead to infection or scarring, requiring prompt medical attention

Corneal Abrasion diagnosis

examining the eye, often using fluorescein dye, which stains the scratched area green when viewed under a cobalt blue light to reveal the injury's size and depth

Corneal Abrasion Treatment

typically involving antibiotic eye
drops/ointments
• lubricating gels
• pain relievers
• a bandage contact lens or
• eye patch
• most minor scratches healing
within days, but requiring prompt
medical care to ensure proper
treatment, especially for contact
lens-related or deep injuries, as
they risk infection