What part of the tear film do goblet cells make?
Mucous layer
What part of the tear film do the Accessory glands of krouse and wolfring and the lacrimal gland make?
Aqueous layer
In order, anterior to posterior, what are the 5 main structures of the cornea?
- Epithelium (5-7 layers of cells, takes 24-48 hours to regenerate)
- Bowman’s Membrane (strong barrier preventing infections entering the stroma)
- Stroma
- Descemet’s membrane (maintains water levels in the stroma -thickness, clairty, water diffused through descemets from the aqueous humour)
- Endothelium
What is the main difference between perenial and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis
Length of course:
- perenial lasts through the year and is from house mites, dust or animal hair
- seasonal will be the likes of pollen, grass etc
What groups are most susceptible to Vernal keratoconjunctivitis?
> 25years (children and young adults)
warm dry areas (eg african countries)
Those with hayfever, atopy
What are the general symptoms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis?
And what are the symptoms if the cornea is involved?
Intense itching
Stringy discharge
Pain, photophobia and blurred vision
What are papillae?
vascularised bumps that are caused by allergies and are close together (cobblestone)
What type of dishcharge does atopic keratoconjunctivitis have?
Thick white and stringy … yuck
What is symplepharon?
Where the eyelid starts to bind to the sclera and results in conjunctival scarring.
Can atopic conjuctivitis affect the cornea?
Yes
- can be severe
- Neovascularisation
- Thinning
- scarring
What type of hypersensitivity is acute allergic conjunctivitis?
Type 1 IgE mediated
Can allergic conjuctivitis affect the cornea?
No
What are the main management steps for ocular allergies?
- Remove allergen if possible
- cold compress
- Saline, eyewashes, artificial tears
- antihistamines (topical or oral)
- topical mast cell stabilisers (for long term allergies)
- Non steroidal anti inflammatory agents (topical or systemic)
- Corticosteroids (topical or systemic) (very last option)
