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Description of the PDF File
This document is a co Description of the PDF File
This document is a comprehensive set of "Ophthalmology Guidelines for Family Physicians & Emergency Department" (Revised March 2018) compiled by the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Manitoba. It serves as a clinical decision-support tool designed for emergency physicians and family doctors to assist in the assessment, management, and appropriate referral of patients presenting with ophthalmic complaints. The guide is structured into two main parts: referral protocols (including emergency definitions and contact information for on-call ophthalmologists) and management guidelines for specific presentations (such as chemical injuries, red eye, orbital swelling, and trauma). It also includes appendices on practical procedures like using a slit lamp and tonometer, and an image gallery for visual reference. The text aims to optimize patient outcomes by ensuring acute conditions are managed correctly and that referrals—whether emergent or routine—are directed to the appropriate specialist with the necessary urgency.
2. Key Points, Headings, Topics, and Questions
Heading 1: Referral Protocols & Triage
Topic: Referral Categories
Key Points:
Routine: Do not require a middle-of-the-night call (11 pm - 7 am). Includes most issues.
Emergent: Justifies an immediate call regardless of time. Examples include acute angle-closure glaucoma, globe rupture, central retinal artery occlusion (<4 hrs), and endophthalmitis.
Patient Stability: Never send an unstable patient (e.g., cervical spine injury) to an ophthalmologist's private office.
Topic: Contacting Specialists
Key Points:
Call the switchboard (204-784-6581) to find the on-call ophthalmologist.
Retina specialists have a separate on-call rota; contact them for patients already under their care or with obvious retinal pathology.
Study Questions:
What constitutes an "Emergent" referral versus a "Routine" one?
Why is pupil dilation a consideration when advising a patient about driving to an appointment?
Heading 2: Management of Specific Conditions
Topic: Chemical Injuries
Key Points:
Timing is Critical: Alkali injuries (e.g., lime) are worse than acids because they penetrate deeper (liquefactive necrosis).
Irrigation: Immediate and copious irrigation is needed until pH is neutral (7.0–7.5). Check pH 5-10 mins after stopping.
Solids/Powders: Must be removed (evert eyelids, sweep fornix) as they dissolve slowly and cause prolonged damage.
Study Questions:
Which type of chemical injury is generally considered worse: Acid or Alkali? Why?
What is the target pH for tear film after irrigation?
Topic: The Acute Red Eye
Key Points:
Endophthalmitis: Infection of the eye contents. Severe pain, hypopyon (white pus in anterior chamber), red eye. Emergent.
Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma: Rapid IOP rise. Mid-dilated pupil, hard eye to touch, halos around lights. Treat with Acetazolamide, Pilocarpine, and ocular massage.
Bacterial Keratitis: Creamy-white "infiltrate" on cornea. Common in contact lens wearers. Treat with fluoroquinolone drops.
Herpes Simplex Keratitis: Dendritic ulcer (branching). DO NOT TREAT with steroids. Treat with Trifluridine.
Study Questions:
What are the cardinal signs of Endophthalmitis?
How does Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma differ from a standard red eye infection?
Topic: Trauma & Foreign Bodies
Key Points:
IOFB (Intraocular Foreign Body): If history suggests high-velocity injury (metal on metal), PLAIN X-RAYS OF THE ORBITS are mandatory to look for the object.
Infiltration:
Alkaloids/Vincristines: Warm packs + Hyaluronidase.
Anthracyclines: Cold packs + DMSO.
Corneal Abrasion: Treat with antibiotic ointment. Do not give anesthetic drops for home use.
Study Questions:
What imaging is mandatory for a suspected IOFB?
What is the appropriate antidote/treatment for a Vinca alkaloid infiltration?
3. Easy Explanation (Simplified Concepts)
The Red Eye Triage
Think of the red eye as a spectrum.
Most Common (Routine): "Pink eye" (conjunctivitis) or dry eyes. Irritating, not vision-threatening.
Middle (Routine/Observation): Flashing lights (PVD) or mild uveitis. Needs a specialist check-up soon.
Most Serious (Emergent): "The Eye is Exploding or Dying."
Glaucoma (Angle Closure): Pressure skyrockets. Eye gets hard, pupil blows up big. Needs drops and a laser/massage now.
Endophthalmitis: Infection inside the eye. Pus forms inside. Eye is red and painful. Needs surgery/antibiotics now to save the eye.
Chemical Burns
Acid: Burns the surface like a fire burn on skin.
Alkali (Lime/Drain Cleaner): Like "acid for skin" but for eyes—it melts through the tissue. It keeps burning deeper and deeper even after you wash it. You must wash for a long time (liters and liters) until the pH is neutral.
Trauma Rules
Hammer vs. Spark:
Spark: Just hit the surface. Wipe it off.
Hammer hitting metal: High speed. The object might have gone through the eye wall into the back. You must X-ray to check.
Antidotes for Leaks:
Vincristine (Chemo): Burns hot. Use hot packs and a "spreader" drug (Hyaluronidase).
Doxorubicin: Burns cold. Use cold packs and DMSO (a chemical draw-out agent).
4. Presentation Structure
Slide 1: Title Slide
Title: Ophthalmology Guidelines for Family Physicians & Emergency Department
Revised: March 2018
Institution: University of Manitoba, Department of Ophthalmology
Purpose: Acute management and referral guidelines.
Slide 2: Referral Guidelines - The Basics
Communication: Phone calls only (no fax referrals).
Time Matters:
Routine: 11 pm - 7 am (Sleep unless it's an emergency).
Emergent: Anytime (High IOP, Globe rupture, Endophthalmitis).
Stability Check: Do not send unstable patients (e.g., cervical spine) to private offices.
Slide 3: Chemical Injuries - The "Golden Hour"
Assessment: Check pH immediately (tear film).
Alkali vs. Acid:
Alkali: Worse (liquefactive necrosis).
Solids: Dangerous (e.g., Lime, Plaster).
Management:
Irrigate, Irrigate, Irrigate (until pH 7.0–7.5).
Evert lids to look for particles.
Cyclopentolate 1% for pain.
Slide 4: The Acute Red Eye - Emergencies
Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma:
Signs: Mid-dilated fixed pupil, hard eye, halos, nausea.
Treatment: Acetazolamide, Pilocarpine, Firm Massage.
Action: Emergent Referral if pressure doesn't drop.
Endophthalmitis:
Signs: Severe pain, hypopyon (white pus), history of eye surgery.
Action: Emergent Referral.
Slide 5: The Acute Red Eye - Non-Emergencies (Routine)
Conjunctivitis: Watery discharge, gritty. No referral needed (usually).
Bacterial Keratitis (Contact Lens): Creamy white spot.
Treatment: Fluoroquinolone drops. Routine Referral.
Herpes Simplex: Dendritic ulcer (branching).
Critical: NO STEROIDS. Treat with Trifluridine.
Slide 6: Trauma & Foreign Bodies
IOFB (Intraocular Foreign Body):
Mechanism: "Metal on Metal."
Mandatory: Plain X-rays (AP + Lateral) to look for radio-opaque object.
Action: Emergent Referral if found.
Corneal Abrasion:
Treatment: Antibiotic ointment.
Note: No anesthetic drops for home use.
Slide 7: Antidotes for Vesicants
Alkaloids (Vincristine, Vinblastine):
Action: Warm packs.
Antidote: Hyaluronidase (spreads the drug).
Anthracyclines (Doxorubicin):
Action: Cold packs.
Antidote: Sodium Thiosulfate or DMSO.
Slide 8: Practical Tips
Visual Phenomena:
Flashers/Floaters: Routine (Rule out detachment).
Amaurosis Fugax: Routine (Transient).
Driving: Do not drive after dilation (2-6 hours).
Eye Drops: Never prescribe anesthetic drops for home use (causes melting cornea).
Slide 9: Summary
Triage: Identify Emergent vs. Routine cases.
Chemical Injuries: Time is life/eye-sight (pH check).
Red Eye: Know the hard eye signs (Glaucoma/Endophthalmitis).
Trauma: Assume IOFB with high-velocity mechanism.... |