Padmini Kaushal, MD, discusses the patient with red eye, the causes and which symptoms are indicators for referral to an ophthalmologist.

Summary
Dry eyes and corneal exposure are the most common causes of red eye in the hospital setting, followed by keratitis, iritis and conjunctivitis. Indicators for referral to an ophthalmologist are acute onset, decreased vision, pain, light sensitivity and photophobia.

References and Resources
Sauer A, Speeg-Schatz C, Bourcier T. Red eye in children. Rev Prat. 2008 Feb 29;58(4):353-7. Review. French. PMID: 18506971.
Ehlers N, Mabeck CE. Diagnosis and treatment of conjuncitivitis. Ugeskr Laeger. 1996 Jan 1;158(1):34-7. Review. Danish. PMID: 8560621.

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