hypopyon
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is the presence of pus cells in the anterior chamber of the eye. This is managed as an ophthalmalogical emergency and requires urgent referral.
On examination there is a characteristic picture:
- the eye is congested
- there is a white/yellow fluid level of pus in the anterior chamber
It accompanies bacterial infection of the eye and severe iritis, seen in e.g. Behcet's disease.
There may be a recent history of:
- the use of steroid drops to treat sore red eyes
- immunosuppression
Topical steroids facilitate the intraocular growth of bacteria. For this reason topical steroids should normally be used with antibiotic cover.