Red eye: Difference between revisions
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*[[Whipple's disease]] | *[[Whipple's disease]] | ||
== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
==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]], or fear of light, is usually an indication of [[iritis]]. | |||
===Coloured halos=== | |||
Coloured halos are an indication of corneal edema, and are a warning that acute glaucoma may be present. | |||
===Physical Examination=== | |||
===Eye=== | |||
Some [[sign (medicine)|sign]]s and [[symptom]]s of red eye represent warnings that the underlying cause is serious and requires immediate attention. | 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. | The [[person]] conducting a thorough [[eye examination]] should be attentive to the warning signs and symptoms during the eye exam. | ||
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There are six danger signs: conjunctival injection, ciliary flush (circumcorneal injection), corneal edema or opacities, corneal staining, abnormal pupil size, and abnormal intraocular pressure. | 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=== | ====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. | ''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==== | ||
''Ciliary flush'' is usually present in eyes with corneal inflammation, iridocyclitis or [[acute glaucoma]], though not simple conjunctivitis. | ''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 around the [[cornea]] of the eye. | A ciliary flush is a ring of red or violet around the [[cornea]] of the eye. | ||
===Corneal Opacification=== | ====Corneal Opacification==== | ||
Corneal opacities always indicate that a serious disease process is in progress. | 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. | 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]]. | 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 Disruption==== | ||
Corneal epithelial disruptions may be detected with [[fluorescein]] staining of the eye, and careful observation with cobalt-blue light. | 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. | Corneal epithelial disruptions would stain green, which represents some injury of the corneal epithelium. | ||
These types of disruptions may be due to corneal inflammations or [[physical trauma]] to the cornea. | These types of disruptions may be due to corneal inflammations or [[physical trauma]] to the cornea. | ||
===Pupillary Abnormalities=== | ====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. | 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. | As is the general rule, conjunctivitis does not affect the pupils. | ||
With acute angle-closure glaucoma, the pupil would be partially dilated and oval. | With acute angle-closure glaucoma, the pupil would be partially dilated and oval. | ||
===Shallow Anterior Chamber Depth=== | ====Shallow Anterior Chamber Depth==== | ||
Shallow anterior chamber depth usually indicates some problem. | Shallow anterior chamber depth usually indicates some problem. | ||
If the eye is red, anterior chamber depth may indicate acute [[glaucoma]], which requires immediate attention. | If the eye is red, anterior chamber depth may indicate acute [[glaucoma]], which requires immediate attention. | ||
===Abnormal Intraocular Pressure=== | ====Abnormal Intraocular Pressure==== | ||
Intraocular pressure should be measured as part of the routine [[eye examination]]. | 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. | 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. | In iritis and traumatic perforating ocular injuries, pressure is usually low. | ||
===Proptosis=== | ====Proptosis==== | ||
[[Proptosis]], or forward displacement of the globe, may be caused by an [[infection]] of the [[orbit (anatomy)|orbit]], or a cavernous sinus disease. | [[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]]. | Most commonly, chronic proptosis is caused by [[thyroid]] diseases such as [[Graves disease]]. | ||
== | ==Treatment== | ||
===Medical Therapy=== | |||
====Pharmacotherapy==== | |||
=== | =====Acute Pharmacotherapies===== | ||
== | |||
=== | |||
=== | |||
'''Conjunctivitis''' | '''Conjunctivitis''' | ||
*Allergy - NSAID's, ocular decongestants, antihistamines | *Allergy - NSAID's, ocular decongestants, antihistamines | ||
*Viral - avoid spread | *Viral - avoid spread | ||
*Bacterial - Antibiotic eye drops | *Bacterial - Antibiotic eye drops | ||
''' | '''Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage''' | ||
*Cool compress | *Cool compress | ||
*Reassurance | *Reassurance | ||
'''Chemical injury''' | '''Chemical injury''' | ||
*Saline | *Saline immediately | ||
== Primary Prevention == | ==Primary Prevention== | ||
*Good hygiene | *Good hygiene | ||
*Proper contact lens | *Proper contact lens maintenance | ||
*Hand washing | *Hand washing | ||
*Eye protection in potentially injuring situations | *Eye protection in potentially injuring situations | ||
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==Related Chapters== | ==Related Chapters== | ||
*[[List of eye diseases and disorders]] | *[[List of eye diseases and disorders]] | ||
{{Eye pathology}} | {{Eye pathology}} | ||
[[Category:Ophthalmology]] | [[Category:Ophthalmology]] | ||
[[Category:Emergency medicine]] | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
Revision as of 13:58, 22 February 2013
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Synonyms and keywords: Bloodshot eye
Overview
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 doctors often deal with patients 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 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 vessels of the conjunctiva, sclera or episclera, and may be caused by diseases or disorders of these structures or adjacent structures that may affect them directly or indirectly.
Causes
Common causes
There are many causes of a red eye including conjunctivitis, blepharitis, acute glaucoma, injury, subconjunctival hemorrhage, inflamed pterygium, inflamed pinguecula, and dry eye syndrome.
Causes in Alphabetical Order
- Adenoviruses
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Anticoagulant therapy
- Atopic dermatitis
- Bacterial toxins
- Behçet's disease
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Chronic Inflammatory Intestinal Disease
- Conjunctivitis: either viral, bacterial or allergic
- Contact dermatitis
- Contact lens complications
- Cosmetics
- Crohn's disease
- Diabetes mellitus
- Epstein-Barr virus
- Fever
- Acute glaucoma attack
- Haemophilus
- Hay fever
- Hemangioma
- Hypertension
- Infective endocarditis
- Keratitis
- Leptospirosis
- Lyme disease
- Lymphangioma
- Measles
- Moraxella
- Osler-Weber-Rendu Disease
- Pseudomonas
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Reactive arthritis
- Recurrent corneal erosion
- Sarcoidosis
- Staphylococciconjunctivitis
- Streptococcusconjunctivitis
- Syphillis
- Toxoplasmosis
- Tuberculosis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Uveitis
- Voigt-Koyanagai Syndrome
- Whipple's disease
Diagnosis
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 blinking, 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, or fear of light, is usually an indication of iritis.
Coloured halos
Coloured halos are an indication of corneal edema, and are a warning that acute glaucoma may be present.
Physical Examination
Eye
Some signs and symptoms 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 corneal 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 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 ulcerated 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 inflammations 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 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, or a cavernous sinus disease. Most commonly, chronic proptosis is caused by thyroid diseases such as Graves disease.
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Pharmacotherapy
Acute Pharmacotherapies
Conjunctivitis
- Allergy - NSAID's, ocular decongestants, antihistamines
- Viral - avoid spread
- Bacterial - Antibiotic eye drops
Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage
- Cool compress
- Reassurance
Chemical injury
- Saline immediately
Primary Prevention
- Good hygiene
- Proper contact lens maintenance
- Hand washing
- Eye protection in potentially injuring situations