Red eye (medicine) 1282696 223971168 2008-07-06T19:29:48Z 79.32.213.253 /* Photophobia */ {{otheruses|Red eye}} {{Infobox_Disease | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Image = | Caption = | DiseasesDB = 18665 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|H|57|9|h|55}} | ICD9 = {{ICD9|379.93}} | ICDO = | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = | eMedicineSubj = | eMedicineTopic = | MeshID = | }} In [[medicine]], '''''red eye''''' is a non-specific term to describe an [[eye]] that appears [[red]] due to illness, injury, or some other condition. "Conjunctival injection" and "bloodshot eyes" are two forms of red eye. Since it is a common affliction, it is unsurprising that [[primary care]] [[Physician|doctor]]s often deal with [[patient]]s with red eyes in their practices. The goal of the primary care doctor when presented with a red eye is to assess whether it is an [[medical emergency|emergency]] in need of referral and immediate action, or instead a benign condition that can be managed easily and effectively. Red eye usually refers to [[hyperemia]] of the superficial [[blood vessel]]s of the [[conjunctiva]], [[sclera]] or [[episclera]], and may be caused by [[disease]]s or disorders of these structures or adjacent structures that may affect them directly or indirectly. ==Causes== There are many causes of a red eye including [[conjunctivitis]], [[blepharitis]], acute [[glaucoma]], [[eye injury|injury]], [[subconjunctival hemorrhage]], inflamed [[pterygium]], inflamed [[pinguecula]], [[dry eye syndrome]], and drug use including cannabis. ==Investigation== Some [[sign (medicine)|sign]]s and [[symptom]]s of red eye represent warnings that the underlying cause is serious and requires immediate attention. The [[person]] conducting a thorough [[eye examination]] should be attentive to the warning signs and symptoms during the eye exam. There are six danger signs: conjunctival injection, ciliary flush (circumcorneal injection), corneal edema or opacities, corneal staining, abnormal pupil size, and abnormal intraocular pressure. ===Visual acuity=== ''Reduced [[visual acuity]]'' is indicative of serious ocular disease, such as [[cornea]]l inflammation, [[iridocyclitis]], and [[glaucoma]], and never occurs in simple [[conjunctivitis]] without concurrent corneal involvement. ===Ciliary flush=== ''[[Ciliary flush]]'' is usually present in eyes with corneal inflammation, iridocyclitis or [[acute glaucoma]], though not simple conjunctivitis. A ciliary flush is a ring of [[red]] or [[violet (color)|violet]] around the [[cornea]] of the eye. ===Corneal opacification=== Corneal opacities always indicate that a serious disease process is in progress. Opacification may be detected using an [[ophthalmoscope]] or, in more obvious cases, with a pen light. These opacities may be keratic, haze-like (usually from corneal [[edema]]), or they may be localized such as with [[ulcer]]ated corneas or those affected by [[keratitis]]. ===Corneal epithelial disruption=== Corneal epithelial disruptions may be detected with [[fluorescein]] staining of the eye, and careful observation with [[cobalt]]-[[blue]] [[light]]. Corneal epithelial disruptions would stain [[green]], which represents some injury of the corneal epithelium. These types of disruptions may be due to [[corneal inflammation]]s or [[physical trauma]] to the cornea. ===Pupillary abnormalities=== An eye with iridocyclitis would have one [[pupil]] that is smaller than the other, which is caused by a [[reflex]] [[muscle]] [[spasm]] of the [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]] sphincter muscle. As is the general rule, conjunctivitis does not affect the pupils. With acute angle-closure glaucoma, the pupil would be partially dilated and oval. ===Shallow anterior chamber depth=== Shallow anterior chamber depth usually indicates some problem. If the eye is red, anterior chamber depth may indicate acute [[glaucoma]], which requires immediate attention. ===Abnormal intraocular pressure=== Intraocular pressure should be measured as part of the routine [[eye examination]]. It is usually affected only by iridocyclitis or acute-closure glaucoma, but not by relatively benign conditions. In iritis and traumatic perforating ocular injuries, pressure is usually low. ===Proptosis=== [[Proptosis]], or forward displacement of the globe, may be caused by an [[infection]] of the [[orbit (anatomy)|orbit]], or a cavernous sinus disease. Most commonly, chronic proptosis is caused by [[thyroid]] diseases such as [[Graves disease]]. ==Important warning symptoms== There are three main danger symptoms in a red eye: reduced visual acuity, severe ocular pain, and photophobia (light sensitivity). ===Blurry vision=== Blurry vision often indicates serious ocular disease. If the blurriness improves with [[blink]]ing, it suggests ocular surface discharge of some variety. ===Severe pain=== Those suffering from [[conjunctivitis]] may report mild irritation or scratchiness, but never extreme [[pain]]. Severe pain is an indicator of [[keratitis]], corneal ulceration, [[iridocyclitis]], or acute [[glaucoma]]. ===Photophobia=== [[Photophobia]] (fear of [[light]]) is most characteristic of [[iritis]], but may also depend on acute [[glaucoma]]. ===Coloured halos=== Coloured [[Halo (optical phenomenon)|halo]]s are an indication of [[corneal edema]], and are a warning that acute glaucoma may be present. <!-- incomplete.. Help! ==Other signs== ===Conjunctival hyperemia=== ===Discharge=== ===Preauricular lymph node enlargement=== ==Other symptoms== ===Exudation=== ===Itching=== =Management= =References= --> ==See also== *Physician education on '''The Diagnosis and Treatment of Bacterial Conjunctivitis in Pediatric Patients''' at http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/575864_6 *[[List of eye diseases and disorders]] {{Eye pathology}} [[Category:Ophthalmology]] [[Category:Emergency medicine]] [[it:Occhi rossi]] [[ja:充血]]