DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF REDNESS OF EYE: A REVIEW

Abstract

Most cases of “red eye” seen in general practice are likely to be conjunctivitis or a superficial corneal injury, however, red eye can also indicate a serious eye condition such as acute angle glaucoma, iritis, keratitis or scleritis. Features such as significant pain, photophobia, reduced visual acuity and a unilateral presentation are “red flags” that a sight-threatening condition may be present. In the absence of specialised eye examination equipment, such as a slit lamp, General Practitioners must rely on identifying these key features to know which patients require referral to an Ophthalmologist for further assessment.Typically orbital cellulitis is not associated with drop of vision unless the eye globe is involved. Fever and leukocytosis are usually present in children, but they may be absent in adults. Toxic conjunctivitis is not allergic in nature, but it is frequently confused with allergic ocular disease. It implies direct damage to ocular tissues from an offending agent, usually a preservative or medication. Many techniques were available for diagnosis like Fluorescein angiography allows a doctor to clearly see the blood vessels at the back of the eye.The eye can be examined by ultrasonography. A probe is placed gently against the closed eyelid and painlessly bounces sound waves off the eyeball. The reflected sound waves produce a two-dimensional image of the inside of the eye.Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high-resolution images of structures at the back of the eye, such as the optic nerve, retina, choroid, and vitreous humor

Key words: Red eye,Conjunctivitis, Scleritis, Sclera, Orbital Cellulitis, OCT.