a. History: Dryness, burning, grittiness, and mild foreign body sensation
Differential Diagnosis
Decreased tear production | Increased tear evaporation |
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Blocked meibomian glands are more common in people with rosacea or other skin disorders. Common causes of increased tear evaporation include:
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Pivotal Assessment | Findings | ||
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x | xxxxxx |
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Tearing may be of two general types. Sudden reflex tearing is usually due to irritation of the ocular surface. In contrast, chronic watering and “epiphora” (tears rolling down the cheek) may indicate abnormal lacrimal drainage (see Chapter 4).
Ocular secretions are often diagnostically nonspecific. Severe amounts of discharge that cause the lids to be glued shut upon awakening usually indicate viral or bacterial conjunctivitis. More scant amounts of mucoid discharge can also be seen with allergic and noninfectious irritations. Dried matter and crusts on the lashes may occur acutely with conjunctivitis or chronically with blepharitis (lid margin inflammation).