surface of the eye
Last reviewed 01/2018
If the eye is painful then anaesthetic drops may aid examination. A short acting drug such as oxybuprocaine is invaluable.
A red eye usually falls into one of two groups:
- conjunctivitis - redness is most prominent around the lids and and the periphery of the globe
- ciliary congestion - redness is most prominent around the margin of the cornea; this suggests disease of the cornea or deeper structures
The cornea should be smooth and shiny, any defects will be identified with the use of fluorescein stain.