A CLOSE LOOK AT A RED EYE - DIAGNOSING VISION-THREATENING CAUSES

The ''red eye'' is one of the most common presentations of eye disease , There are numerous causes of a red eye; fortunately most patients ma intain good visual acuity and have an excellent prognosis, By taking a thorough medical and ocular history and performing an ophthalmic exam ination, physicians can identify the vision-threatening causes, such a s cellulitis, corneal ulcer, and acute glaucoma, Once the cause has be en determined-and if it is vision threatening-physicians should refer patients to an ophthalmologist for definitive treatment.