c

Blepharitis, flashers and floaters

6th April 2015 by NASGP

Blepharitis, flashers and floaters

If like me, Ophthalmology training in medical school seemed like a blur (and that was just the view through the fundoscope!), you’ll hopefully find this update on blepharitis and flashes and floaters helpful.

Blepharitis

Taken from the BMJ 10 minute consultation series (BMJ 2012;345:e3328), this useful reminder summarises management of this common condition.

Assessment

  • Look for bilateral, usually symmetrical scaly/crusty/erythematous eyelids, possibly with conjunctival injection and small yellow plugs on meibomian glands.
  • Rule out other pathology including:
    • Dermatological conditions around the eyes.
    • Chalazion (meibomian cyst).
    • Mis-directed eyelashes (trichiasis) or missing lashes (madarosis).

Treatment

Blepharitis can be chronic, so ensure the patient understands that treatment may only control rather than cure symptoms.

  • Use warm water compresses to soften crust and scale.
  • Clean eyelids with cotton bud soaked in baby shampoo or bicarbonate of soda.
  • In resistant cases, use chloramphenicol/fusidic acid for presumed Staphylococcus infection.
  • Treat persistent meibomian cyst infections with oral doxycycline (100mg daily for 6w).

Flashes and floaters

Read more

No credit card details needed – it takes two minutes.

Join free trial

Login

Already a member? Login to view this content.

Login

"LocumDeck has given me the opportunity to work in different practices and meet new colleagues. I enjoy the flexibility of working on a locum basis. I found the initial setting up process straightforward, and there is plenty of help with the set up guides as well as support from Katrina Munro, the Nurse Ambassador at Frimley Training Hub, and Becky Nelson, the Nurse Support Manager at LocumDeck. I now have regular bookings on days and times which suit me."

Anon nurse, Frimley

See the full list of features within our NASGP membership plans

Membership