Week 4 - sensory disorders

Conjunctivitis, corneal ulcerations, glaucoma, tests, subpalpebral eye lavage system

What is conjunctivitis?

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

What are causes of conjunctivitis?

Bacterial infection, viral infection, FB, underlying diseases (KCS, entropion, blocked tear ducts)

What is the presentation of conjunctivitis?

Red and inflamed conjunctiva, ocular discharge, squinting, swollen eyelids, pawing at eye

What is glaucoma?

An elevation in intraocular pressure due to inadequate drainage of aqueous humour within the globe

What are causes of glaucoma?

Inherited/anatomical abnormality of drainage angle, eye diseases e.g. uveitis, tumours or trauma

What is the presentation of glaucoma?

Painful red eye, corneal oedema and discolouration, swelling/firmness of the globe, dilated pupil, retinal damage

What is corneal ulceration?

A defect in the cornea, usually due to trauma or underlying eye diseases

What are causes of corneal ulceration?

Eyelid/eyelash disorders, FB, trauma, KCS, bacteria/infection

What is the presentation of corneal ulceration?

Ocular pain, ocular discharge, blepharospasm, increased lacrimation, irregularity of cornea

What is the general nursing care for eye disorders?

Bathe eyes, careful medication regimes, warm sterile saline, systemic anti-inflammatories and antibiotics, close monitoring, low lighting, prevention of self-trauma

What are the 3 eye tests?

Shirmer tear test, Jones test, Tonometry

Shirmer tear test purpose

Measures tear production to diagnose dry eye or reduced tear production

Shirmer tear test procedure

Steril paper strips, placed in the lower fornix for 1 minute, normal reading 15-25mm/min

Jones test purpose

Assesses nasolacrimal duct patency

Jones test procedure

After application to the eye, fluorescein should be seen at the nostril within 1-5 mins. If not, this suggests an occulsion

Tonometry purpose

Measures intraocular pressure to diagnose conditions like glaucoma or uveitis

Tonometry procedure

Press tonometer against eye

What is the normal values for dogs and cats - tonometry

dogs - 15-25mmHg, cats - 16-20 mmHg