12-17-2008, 01:44 PM
A 30-year-old man was evaluated for a 4-day history of acute unilateral eye pain with a foreign-body sensation in the eye. He reported no antecedent trauma, and the pain was worse in the morning on awakening. The medical history was noncontributory.
On physical examination, there was conjunctival erythema of the affected eye, with no evidence of a foreign body. Results of fluorescein staining indicated a corneal ulcer. The patient was prescribed pain medication and was counseled to call the next day if there was no resolution or worsening of symptoms. The patient calls the next day, stating that his pain has gotten progressively worse and there is a mucopurulent discharge from his eye.
Which of the following possible patient factors is likely to be helpful in establishing a diagnosis?
A History of diabetes mellitus
B Contact lens use
C Swimming
D History of chronic allergic conjunctivitis
E History of systemic lupus erythematosus
On physical examination, there was conjunctival erythema of the affected eye, with no evidence of a foreign body. Results of fluorescein staining indicated a corneal ulcer. The patient was prescribed pain medication and was counseled to call the next day if there was no resolution or worsening of symptoms. The patient calls the next day, stating that his pain has gotten progressively worse and there is a mucopurulent discharge from his eye.
Which of the following possible patient factors is likely to be helpful in establishing a diagnosis?
A History of diabetes mellitus
B Contact lens use
C Swimming
D History of chronic allergic conjunctivitis
E History of systemic lupus erythematosus