Page 85 - Community pharmcy practice E-book 2025

02/11/2025, 00:10 Otic & Ophthalmic Disorders | Dermatological Disorders

Treatment: Warm compresses can help it drain on its own. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics or, in

some cases, perform a small incision to drain the pus.

3. Chalazion
Cause: A non-infectious blockage of a meibomian (oil) gland in the eyelid.
Appearance: A painless, slow-growing lump deeper in the eyelid, away from the lash line. It can
sometimes develop from an unhealed internal stye.
Symptoms: Generally painless, though it can become swollen.

Treatment: Warm compresses can help. If it doesn't go away on its own, a doctor may prescribe
corticosteroid injections, or the chalazion might need to be surgically drained.

Cases of referral for Ophthalmic disorders:

Any self-treatable condition that does not resolve within 72 hours constitutes an indication for immediate
referral to an eye care specialist for further assessment.

Infections of eyelid/eye surface: both stye and blepharitis can be self-management with warm soaks. While,
recurrence warrants medical referral.

Bacterial & viral conjunctivitis.

Chalazia: require correct diagnosis as there are more serious conditions that may mimic a chalazion, such
as certain types of eyelid tumors (basal cell or sebaceous cell carcinoma).

Otic Disorders

Self-treatment with nonprescription medications and complementary therapies should be restricted to minor
external ear disorders, which include disorders of the auricle and the external auditory canal (EAC).
Excessive cerumen and water-clogged ears are self-treatable EAC disorders for which the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved nonprescription otic medications.

The external ear consists of:
the auricle (pinna),

the EAC (external auditory canal) &

the tympanic membrane (eardrum), which separates the external ear from the middle ear.

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