Diagnosis | Symptoms and findings |
---|
Intraocular pressure is usually normal in these disorders. N.B. sections marked with an asterisk (*): If the intraocular pressure is lower than in the healthy eye, note the possibility of a penetrating injury! |
| Redness | Discharge | Pain, other sensations | Corneal appearance | Visual acuity, other things to consider |
---|
Dry eye Dry Eye Syndrome | Conjunctival redness | Watery discharge | Foreign body or gritty sensation; if prolonged, pain | The lower cornea may be opaque | In advanced cases, reduced visual acuity |
Conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis | Conjunctival redness | Bacterial: purulent discharge. Viral: clear, watery discharge. | Itching, foreign body or gritty sensation | Clear | Blurring due to discharge. In allergy, often also swelling of the eyelids. |
Conjunctival or corneal foreign body A Foreign Body on the Cornea* | Conjunctival or pericorneal redness | Often watery discharge | Foreign body sensation or pain | A piece of metal often appears as a round, rusty spot. | Reduced visual acuity if a corneal foreign body is in a central area. |
Corneal ulcer Corneal Ulcers* | Redness not necessarily present | Often watery discharge | Foreign body sensation or pain | An ulcer can be detected in blue light after fluorescein staining. | Reduced visual acuity if a corneal ulcer is in a central area. |
Superficial scleritis (episcleritis) Episcleritis | Sectoral episcleral redness | No discharge | Eye tender on palpation, sensitivity to draught | Clear | Visual acuity often normal |
Sugillation in the absence of trauma Subconjunctival Haemorrhage (Suggillation) | Circumscribed, extensive, dark red patch underneath the conjunctiva | No discharge | Foreign body sensation | Clear | Normal visual acuity. Measure blood pressure, note the possibility of injury. |