Rationale
Eye redness (red eye) is a very common issue. Many of the common causes are relatively benign, but some can lead to significant vision loss and require urgent referral.
Causal Conditions
(list not exhaustive)
- Lids, lashes, orbits, lacrimal system
- Congenital
- Acquired
- Conjunctiva, sclera
- Cornea
- Anterior chamber, iris
- Trauma
Key Objectives
Given a patient with eye redness, the candidate will diagnose the cause, severity, and complications, and will initiate an appropriate management plan. In particular, urgent referral is required for some conditions that could lead to significant vision loss.
Enabling Objectives
Given a patient with eye redness, the candidate will
- list and interpret critical clinical findings, including those based on
- information gathered on history and physical examination to differentiate causal conditions that are benign from those that require urgent referral; and
- the determination as to whether vision or visual acuity is affected;
- list and interpret critical investigations, including a slit-lamp examination with fluorescein administration and intraocular pressure measurement, as appropriate; and
- construct an effective initial management plan, including determining if the patient requires urgent referral.
