Red eye

Abstract

The practitioner dealing with the red eye should determine: ■ The history of the complaint in detail (most diagnoses can be made by history alone). ■ If vision is normal. ■ If the eye is painful. ■ If the eye pain is relieved by local anaesthetic drops. This will provide a guide to the diagnosis and management of the patient and enable sorting of the common from the life- and sight-threatening causes.