2. RED EYE
• Red eye-non-specific term to describe an eye
that appears red due to illness, injury, or some
other condition
• Caused by enlarged, dilated blood vessels,
leading to the appearance of redness on
surface of eye
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5. Causes of red eye
There are many different causes of a
red eye. After taking a full history
and thoroughly examining the eyes,
a management plan can be made.
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6. Anterior uveitis
• Inflammation of the iris and ciliary body
• Clinical features:
• Young or middle aged patients
• Pain worse when reading
• Photophobia
• Reduced visual acuity
• On examination:
• Pupil may be small and irregular (due to posterior synechiae - adhesions of iris to the lens)
• On using slit lamp, anterior chamber may show:
– cells (moving, white specks)
– hypopyon - pus in anterior chamber
– flare (looking through frosted glass)
• keratic precipitates may be seen at the back of the cornea
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7. Conjunctivitis
• The eye discharge in conjunctivitis may be
clear (serous) or puslike (purulent)
Purulent – bacterial conjunctivitis
Clear – viral or allergic cause
Serous Purulent
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8. Subconjunctival haemorrhage
• Bright red blood between white sclera and conjunctiva. Usually benign.
Can be caused by:
• Severe coughing or straining
• Hypertension
• Blood disorders
• Idiopathic
• Clinical features:
• Diffuse area of bright red blood
• May be a foreign body
• No pain, blurred vision or photophobia
• Eye examination otherwise normal
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9. Scleritis
• Inflammation of white sclera itself
• Usually very painful; significantly more redness present compared to
episcleritis
• Associated with other autoimmune conditions
• Visual acuity may be affected
• Management - may need immunosuppressants
• Complications - corneal ulceration, intraocular inflammation
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10. Corneal ulceration
• Causes
• Infection
• Corneal abrasion
• Contact lenses
• Clinical Features
• Pain
• Foreign body sensation
• Mild to moderate red eye
• Blurred vision
• Photophobia
• Examination
• Staining the cornea with fluorescein shows an area of corneal epithelial defect,
and shows up yellow.
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11. PTERYGIUM
• Triangular fold of conjunctiva that usually grows from the medial
portion of the palpebral fissure towards & invades the cornea
• Non-malignant fibrovascular growth
• Predisposing factors:
– Hot climates
– Chronic dryness
– Exposure to sun
*Prevalent in Southern Countries
• Mx – surgical removal
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12. SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH RED
EYE
SYMPTOMS
Pain
Visual loss
Eye discharge
Purulent – bacterial conjunctivitis
Clear – viral or allergic cause
Gritty sensation – common in conjunctivitis
Itching – common in allergic eye disease,
blepharitis
Photophobia
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