Looking at the eyes
Now shift your attention to the face. Note any abnormal protrusion of the eyes (proptosis).
Note:
- Xanthelasma
- Ptosis
- Corneal arcus
- Exophthalmos
- Horner?s syndrome
- Position of eyes
- Squint
- Crusts on eyelids
| AFRIKAANS | TRANSCRIPT | XHOSA |
|---|---|---|
| TWe are doing well./ Ons vorder goed. / Sisaqhuba kakuhle. | ||
| Are you still OK? / Is alles nog reg? / Kulungile? |
Inspect the sclerae and conjunctivae. Place both thumbs just below the eyes.
| AFRIKAANS | TRANSCRIPT | XHOSA |
|---|---|---|
| This may be uncomfortable./ Dit mag ?n bietjie ongemaklik wees. / Uza kungaziva kakuhle. | ||
| But I?ll be as quick as I can./ Ek sal nie lank besig wees nie. / Kodwa ndiza kukhawulezisa. |
By moving the thumbs downwards, expose the lower conjunctivae and the sclerae of the eyes. Ask the patient to look up.
| AFRIKAANS | TRANSCRIPT | XHOSA |
|---|---|---|
| Please look upwards. / Kyk asseblief op. / Ndicela ujonge phezulu. | ||
| OK./ Reg so. / Kulungile. | ||
| Thank you./ Dankie. / Enkosi. |
Look for conjunctival pallor. This is usually evidence of anaemia. Patients with a low haemoglobin will have an abnormally pale conjunctiva on the inside of the eyelid. (Occasionally pallor is seen in the shocked patient as a result of intense vasoconstriction, with resulting poor tissue perfusion.)
Look for conjunctival pallor. This is usually a sign of anaemia. Occasionally it is seen in the shocked patient as a result of intense vasoconstriction, with resulting poor tissue perfusion.
Is this patient anaemic? What do you think?
Look for evidence of polycythaemia. Patients with an abnormally high haemoglobin will have an abnormally red conjunctiva on the inside of the eyelid (referred to as plethora): usually a dark dusky red since some of the haemoglobin is deoxygenated.
Look for evidence of conjunctivitis. This is a red, inflamed conjunctiva, usually involving both the conjunctivae of the eyeball and of the lid.
Look for jaundice. This is seen as a yellowish colour of the sclerae, and this yellowish discolouration may also be seen shining through the normal redness of the conjunctivae. The (eyes will show jaundice before it is severe enough to be visible in the skin.)
Watch how the eyes are examined.
