One of the common presentations in Surgeries or Emergency departments remains the red eye, as a matter of fact 80 % of all eye consultations with GP’s are related to a red eye presentation. Luckily most conditions are self-limiting and harmless and settle without or with little treatment. Some of the most common presentations are viral or bacterial conjunctivitis often with or after symptoms of a cold like illness. Gritty feeling of eyes, some watery to sticky discharge, Vision is not affected. Allergic eye inflammation is similar in presentation only a little more itchy. These conditions often require little more than irrigation of eyelids with saline solution and attention to hygiene. You can make your own solution by dissolving a teaspoon of kitchen salt in 500 ml of cooked and cooled water. Antiseptic eye drops (like Brolene) can be used, cool compress and topical lubricants (artificial teardrops) can be of benefit. Allergic conjunctivitis can be treated with allergy eye drops, oral Antihistamines and nasal steroid sprays. Other common usually benign conditions are styes or cysts of the lash follicles of the lid margins or glands in the eye lid, presenting as swellings at the margin or in the plate of the lid. They often settle with application of heat, for instance steam from a thermos or hot compresses to closed eyes.
The trick is not to miss the important red eye which could affect your vision in the long run. A recently published Queensland study showed that even GP’s and opticians missed 10 very significant conditions in 1060 presentations
Warning Signs;
- only one single eye is affected !
- photophobia, aversion to light
- blurred vision , reduced or reducing vision
- Increasing and not relieved eye pain
- Sudden hot swelling of one eyelid (particularly in children)
- Trauma, unless minor ,especially if power tools (grinders , drills …) are involved
- Chemical burns
- Red eye and use of contact lenses
Any of above demand immediate visit to your doctor or ED. An easy way to check your visual acuity is to measure the distance in meters you need to read your own number plate in broad daylight, which you should be able to do at around 20 meters, if your vision drops during an episode of red eye go and visit your doctor!
A number of useful advice leaflets can be again found on www.patient.co.uk (Blepharitis , Allergic Conjunctivitis , Infective Conjunctivitis, Stye…)
If in doubt visit your doctor or optician who can advice on treatment or refer you onto locally available eye specialist, if indicated.
Sources:
- Misdiagnosis of acute eye disease by primary health care providers – Medical Journal of Australia 2008
- James Murtagh General Practice The Red and Tender Eye
- www.gpnotebook.co.uk Red Eye
Geraldton, 9 2 2009
The trick is not to miss the important red eye which could affect your vision in the long run. A recently published Queensland study showed that even GP’s and opticians missed 10 very significant conditions in 1060 presentations
Warning Signs;
- only one single eye is affected !
- photophobia, aversion to light
- blurred vision , reduced or reducing vision
- Increasing and not relieved eye pain
- Sudden hot swelling of one eyelid (particularly in children)
- Trauma, unless minor ,especially if power tools (grinders , drills …) are involved
- Chemical burns
- Red eye and use of contact lenses
Any of above demand immediate visit to your doctor or ED. An easy way to check your visual acuity is to measure the distance in meters you need to read your own number plate in broad daylight, which you should be able to do at around 20 meters, if your vision drops during an episode of red eye go and visit your doctor!
A number of useful advice leaflets can be again found on www.patient.co.uk (Blepharitis , Allergic Conjunctivitis , Infective Conjunctivitis, Stye…)
If in doubt visit your doctor or optician who can advice on treatment or refer you onto locally available eye specialist, if indicated.
Sources:
- Misdiagnosis of acute eye disease by primary health care providers – Medical Journal of Australia 2008
- James Murtagh General Practice The Red and Tender Eye
- www.gpnotebook.co.uk Red Eye
Geraldton, 9 2 2009
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