EYE
EYE EMERGENCIES
TRAUMA/INJURY
Blunt injuries to the eye or eye lids,
Foreign bodies
Burns,
Chemical exposure,
Attend the Local Emergency Department
NON-TRAUMA/INJURY
Swelling to the upper and lower eye lids,
Curtain falling vision,
Black spots,
Pain in the eye,
Flashes or Floaters,
Please attend the local Eye hospital emergency department
Accident & Emergency, Eye Hospital (A&E) – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Eye infections
Conjunctivitis
What is Conjunctivitis? Conjunctivitis is usually an infection or inflammation of the outer layer of the eye (or the conjunctiva). It can occur if you have a cold or have been near someone with a cold. Conjunctivitis is not usually serious, but it can affect both eyes and can be passed from person to person. Conjunctivitis is sometimes referred to as ‘pink’ or ‘red’ eye.
This can be Viral, Bacterial or Allergic. Antibiotics are not always indicated.
What are the symptoms of bacterial and viral conjunctivitis?
Conjunctivitis often starts in one eye, usually spreading to the other eye. It may also cause your eyelids to stick together in the morning.
Bacterial Conjunctivitis normally causes a yellow or green sticky discharge throughout the day. They will feel itchy, and the eyelids may become swollen.
Viral Conjunctivitis normally causes a watery discharge during the day and present with sticky discharge in the morning. The eyelids may become very swollen. In most cases of viral conjunctivitis, it does not affect the vision but rarely you might notice the vision becomes blurry or you may see glare when looking at lights. This is due to the inflammatory reaction causing small white dots on the cornea. These usually fade with time, but it can take a few weeks.
Treatment
Bacterial : you may be offered a prescription for antibacterial drops or ointment for 5-7 days
Viral: NSAIDs and toileting the eye may help.
Lid hygiene – YouTube Adults
How to clean the eyelids in children and babies
The do’s and don’ts while you have conjunctivitis:
Don’t:
• Don’t share flannels, towels or pillows with anyone else.
• Don’t share your eye drops with anyone else.
• Don’t attend work whilst you have red, watery or sticky eyes if you work with children, elderly people or patients, or if you handle food in your job.
• Don’t wear your contact lenses until your eyes are better and after 24 hours after the last dose of ointment/drops (if they were required).
• Do not rub your eyes • Do not wear eye make up.
Do:
• Wash hands regularly with warm soapy water.
• Wash pillows and face cloths in hot water and detergent.
• Use disposable paper tissues to wipe your eyes. Use one tissue per eye to prevent cross-infection and throw them straight into the bin after use.
Allergic Conjunctivitis
Allergic conjunctivitis usually causes pink or red itchy eyes. The eyes are normally watery and other allergy symptoms such as sneezing, and a runny nose may be present. These are part of the body’s defence mechanism to things it sees as foreign and harmful. The seasonal type of allergic conjunctivitis will vary with the time of year and weather conditions. Those with more general allergies, such as an allergy to dust mites, animals, etc; will most likely to have symptoms throughout the year.
Treatment
Antihistamine drops
Antihistamine tablets
The do’s and don’ts while you have allergic conjunctivitis:
Don’t: •
Don’t wear your contact lenses (if the symptoms are severe or if your cornea is affected), until your eyes are better and after 24 hours after the last dose of ointment/drops (if they were required)
• Do not rub your eyes (this will make the symptoms worse)
• Do not wear eye make-up
Do:
• Wash hands regularly with warm soapy water
• Bathing the eyes with a flannel soaked in cold water or with an over-the-counter ‘eye bath’ may ease symptoms
• Avoid the cause of the allergy (if possible)
• Wear sunglasses or glasses as they may help to shield your eyes from pollen
Conjunctivitis: symptoms and treatment for red, itchy, watery eyes | NHS
(Rationale for 111 video- Patients can be triaged by 111 straight to ED or Eye hospital using the pathways system which will generate an appointment with the needed resource, even us @ Well BN)
Blepharitis
Flakes or Crusting to the base of the eye lids
Itchy eye lids
Sore eye lids
Gritty sensation in the eyes
Treatment
Regular toileting of the eye.
Antibiotics may be indicated if the symptoms persist despite regular toileting.
STYE:
CHALAZION
Chalazion (Eyelid Cyst): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Eyelid issues
NHS EYE TESTS