Conjunctiva
February 15th, 2021
Conjunctival Pallor
How to Elicit
- Pull the lower eyelid downward and inspect the inner eyelid. Conjunctival pallor is present if there is loss of the normal redness of the anterior rim of the conjunctiva.
Significance
- A sign of severe anaemia.
Subconjunctival Haemorrhage
Look For
- Redness beneath the conjuncctiva due to bleeding
Significance
- May be a sign of coagulopathy.
Causes of Subconjunctival Haemorrhage
- Idiopathic
- Ocular damage - trauma, contact lens use, surgery
- Vascular damage - hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis
- Conjunctivitis
- Conjunctival tumour
Scleral Icterus
Look For
- Yellowness of the conjunctiva overlying the sclera.
Significance
- A relatively sensitive indicator of jaundice, occurring prior to the development of colour change in the skin.
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