Differential Diagnosis for a 33-year-old Male with Eye Irritation
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Corneal abrasion: The patient's history of rubbing his eye and the continued irritation, redness, and foreign body sensation despite irrigation and lubrication suggest a corneal abrasion, possibly caused by an eyelash or another foreign body that scratched the cornea.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Foreign body in the eye (e.g., metal, glass, or vegetable matter): The patient's report of feeling something get in his eye while eating and the persistence of symptoms suggest that a foreign body might still be present in the eye.
- Conjunctivitis (allergic or infectious): The redness and irritation could also be indicative of conjunctivitis, although the foreign body sensation and the history of an object getting in the eye make this less likely.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Corneal ulcer: Although less likely, a corneal ulcer could present with similar symptoms and would require prompt treatment to prevent serious complications, including vision loss.
- Chemical injury: If the patient came into contact with a chemical while eating (e.g., hot pepper oils), this could cause severe eye irritation and potentially lead to serious complications if not properly treated.
- Endophthalmitis: This is a rare but serious infection within the eye that could occur if a foreign body introduced bacteria into the eye. It is a medical emergency.
- Rare diagnoses
- Arc eye (photokeratitis) from looking at a bright light or UV source: This could cause eye pain and irritation but is less likely given the patient's description of feeling something get in his eye.
- Dry eye syndrome: While this could cause irritation and a foreign body sensation, it is less likely given the acute onset of symptoms after the patient felt something get in his eye.