Zusammenfassung
Acute red eye is a common presenting complaint to primary care physicians. [1] A detailed history of the presenting symptoms and previous ophthalmological and medical history can narrow the differential diagnosis and aid in the interpretation of key examination findings. The lack of specialist equipment in the primary care setting, along with a very broad differential diagnosis, can cause difficulty in establishing the correct diagnosis, and in such cases a specialist ophthalmological opinion should be sought. [2] [3] Serious vision-threatening conditions that present as red eye are rare and can occasionally be overshadowed by associated systemic symptoms; in light of this they should always be considered within the differential and excluded on examination. [4] [Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital: Anatomy of the eye]
Similar conditions
Similar conditions to acute red eye include orbital cellulitis and thyroid eye disease.
Complications
Well-recognised complications of acute red eye are dependent on the underlying aetiology. Conditions affecting the cornea, trauma, anterior uveitis, View image and angle-closure glaucoma View image can lead to impaired visual acuity. Scleritis, View image corneal ulceration, View image high-velocity foreign bodies, and trauma can lead to perforation of the eye. View image
Differentialdiagnose
- Common
-
- Trichiasis
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- Blepharitis
- Dry eyes
- Corneal ulcer (bacterial, viral, or fungal)
- Contact lens-related red eye
- Keratitis
- Corneal foreign body
- Corneal abrasion
- Subtarsal conjunctival foreign body
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Bacterial conjunctivitis
- Viral conjunctivitis
- Non-traumatic subconjunctival haemorrhage
- Uncommon
