Differential Diagnosis for Eye Pain, Photophobia, and Sensation of Foreign Body
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Conjunctivitis: This is a common condition that can cause eye pain, photophobia, and a sensation of a foreign body in the eye due to inflammation of the conjunctiva.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Dry Eye Syndrome: This condition can cause a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, eye pain, and photophobia due to inadequate tear production or poor tear quality.
- Corneal Abrasion: A scratch on the cornea can cause significant eye pain, photophobia, and a sensation of a foreign body, often due to minor trauma.
- Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids can lead to eye pain, photophobia, and a foreign body sensation, often associated with crusting and redness of the eyelids.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma: A medical emergency that can cause severe eye pain, photophobia, and blurred vision. It requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Corneal Ulcer: An infection of the cornea that can cause severe eye pain, photophobia, and a sensation of a foreign body, potentially leading to vision loss if not promptly treated.
- Endophthalmitis: A severe infection within the eye that can cause eye pain, photophobia, and vision loss, often following eye surgery or trauma.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Scleritis: Inflammation of the sclera (the white part of the eye) that can cause severe eye pain, photophobia, and a sensation of a foreign body, often associated with systemic diseases.
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye) that can cause eye pain, photophobia, and vision problems, sometimes related to systemic diseases or infections.
- Keratoconus: A progressive thinning of the cornea that can cause vision problems, eye pain, and photophobia, but less commonly a sensation of a foreign body.