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Hypopyon

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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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.


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