Red eye
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Definition
Epidemiology
Pathophysiology
Differential Diagnosis
- Conjunctivitis - common eye infection affecting the conjuntiva
- Glaucoma - the dangerous one is closed-angle glaucoma. The rest are less of an issue.
- Iritis - infection of the iris (aka anterior uveitis). Important as acutely it can send you blind.
- Dry eyes - lack of tear production
- Local trauma/foreign bodies - having a log in your eye. Well accordingly to that dumbass parable in the Bible.
- Lid disorders
Clinical and Associated Features
The first thing to do is identify an emergency red eye.
- Conjunctivitis - can be painful, some photophobia, normal - acuity, cornea, pupil, intraocular pressure
- Iritis aka anterior uveitis - acute, photophobia, blurred vision, crying, whole eye goes red, small pupil (iris spasm). Talbot's test - pain gets worse on convergence. Tell patient to look at your finger and move it towards their face.
- Closed-angle glaucoma - visual disturbance (leading to visual loss), eye pain (can be in the eye, around the orbit or just a generalised frontal headahce), nausea & vomiting.