The red eye: diagnosis and treatment

Many common ophthalmologic conditions may present as a red eye. Most are not vision-threatening and can be easily treated. Vision-threatening symptoms and signs include sudden diminution in visual acuity, ocular pain, photophobia and the presence of circumcorneal injection (the so-called cilary flush) on examination. Corneal, uveal tract and anterior chamber problems often require ophthalmologic consultation, but these conditions are less common than blepharitis, lid problems, dry eyes and conjunctivitis.