Differential Diagnosis for Red Painful Eye
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Conjunctivitis: This is the most common cause of a red painful eye, often due to viral or bacterial infections, and is characterized by redness, discharge, and irritation.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Dry eye syndrome: This condition can cause eye pain, redness, and irritation due to insufficient tear production or poor tear quality.
- Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids can cause redness, itching, and pain, often associated with bacterial or demodex mite infestations.
- Corneal abrasion or ulcer: Damage to the cornea can cause severe pain, redness, and sensitivity to light, often due to trauma, contact lens use, or infection.
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the uvea can cause eye pain, redness, and sensitivity to light, often associated with autoimmune disorders or infections.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma: A medical emergency characterized by sudden onset of severe eye pain, redness, and vision loss, requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.
- Endophthalmitis: A severe infection within the eye that can cause pain, redness, and vision loss, often following eye surgery or trauma.
- Orbital cellulitis: A bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding the eye that can cause pain, redness, and swelling, potentially leading to serious complications if left untreated.
- Rare diagnoses
- Scleritis: Inflammation of the sclera can cause severe eye pain, redness, and tenderness, often associated with autoimmune disorders.
- Keratitis: Inflammation of the cornea can cause pain, redness, and vision loss, often due to infection or autoimmune disorders.
- Ocular migraine: A condition characterized by recurrent episodes of eye pain, redness, and visual disturbances, often associated with migraine headaches.