General approach to red eye in primary care

Summary Most of the red eye cases can be treated in primary care. Etiology of the red eye should be diagnosed rapidly. Conjonctivitis is the most common cause of red eye. Viral and bacterial conjonctivitis are benign conditions which heal spontaneously. The rate of serious complications are rare. Allergic or irritant substances are other causes for the etiology of conjonctivitis. Other common causes of red eye include subconjonctival hemorrhage, dry eye (keratoconjonctivitis sicca), blepharitis, corneal erosion, foreign body, pinguecula, pterygium, hordeolum, canaliculitis, dacryocystitis, thyroid-related eye disease, acute angle-closure glaucoma. The essentials symptoms of red eye are pain, discharge, redness, itching, photophobia and vision changes. During the investigation of red eye’s etiology, detailed medical history should be taken and careful physical examination must be made. Treatment is arranged according to the underlying etiology. Principal point of the management of red eye in primary care is to determine whether the urgent referral to the eye specialist is necessary or not. This review mentions causes of red eye which can be treated by family physicians in primary care and emphasizes which patients should be referred to the eye specialist.