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Differential Diagnosis for Red Swollen Eye

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Conjunctivitis: This is the most common cause of a red, swollen eye, often due to viral or bacterial infection, or allergic reactions. It presents with redness, swelling, discharge, and sometimes itching or burning sensation.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids can cause redness, swelling, and sometimes a gritty sensation in the eyes. It's often associated with skin conditions like acne or eczema.
  • Dry Eye Syndrome: Insufficient tear production or poor tear quality can lead to eye irritation, redness, and swelling.
  • Corneal Abrasion: A scratch on the cornea can cause pain, redness, and swelling, often accompanied by sensitivity to light and blurred vision.
  • Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye, can cause eye pain, redness, and swelling, along with sensitivity to light.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A medical emergency characterized by sudden, severe eye pain, redness, swelling, and vision loss. It requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
  • Endophthalmitis: A severe infection within the eye that can cause pain, redness, swelling, and vision loss. It's a rare but potentially devastating complication of eye surgery or trauma.
  • Orbital Cellulitis: An infection of the tissues surrounding the eye can cause swelling, redness, and pain, and can lead to serious complications if not promptly treated.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea, which can be caused by infection, injury, or underlying conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • Scleritis: Inflammation of the sclera, the white part of the eye, which can cause severe pain, redness, and swelling, often associated with systemic autoimmune disorders.
  • Ocular Migraine: A condition that can cause temporary vision loss, pain, and redness, often accompanied by migraine headaches.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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