🎧FREE MSRA PODCAST –Red Eye: Not Just ‘Pink Eye’ 👁️

Ever looked in themirror and thought: “Why is my eye suddenly sored?” In this MSRA-focused Deep Dive, we go beyond the surface andunpack red eye: what it means, why ithappens, and how to confidently assess it — from simple conjunctivitis to sight-threatening emergencies like acuteglaucoma.

🧠What You’ll Learn inThis Episode:

✅Definition

• Red eye = visible dilation or congestion ofconjunctival blood vessels

• It’s a symptom, not a diagnosis — a signal of deeperpathology

📋Causes of Red Eye (Mnemonic: “VIP Causes Bleary Sight”)

• Viral / Bacterial / Allergic conjunctivitis

• Injury (foreign body, trauma)

• Pressure (acute glaucoma)

• Corneal ulcers / abrasions

• Blepharitis

• Scleritis / Uveitis

• 👁️ Contact lens complications

• 😢 Dry eyes, subconjunctival haemorrhage

📊Risk Factors

• 👁️ Contact lens use

• 🌸 Allergen exposure (pollen, pets)

• 👶 Poor hygiene in children

• 🤒 Autoimmune conditions

• 🛠️ Recent trauma or surgery

⚙️Pathophysiology

• Redness = vascular dilation in conjunctiva

• Cause-specifictriggers:

  – Inflammation(conjunctivitis)

  – Vessel rupture(haemorrhage)

  – Raised pressure(glaucoma)

👁️Symptoms &Clinical Presentation

• Conjunctivalredness

• Irritation or gritty sensation

• Watery or purulentdischarge

• Itchiness = oftenallergic

• ⚠️Blurred vision or photophobia = possible serious cause

🩺Investigations

• 🅰️ Visual acuity check

• 🔬 Slit-lamp examination

• 🔄 Intraocular pressure check

• 🧫 Cultures for discharge (if infected)

💊Management = Treatthe Cause

• Bacterial → Antibiotic drops

• Allergic → Antihistamines

• Dry eyes → Artificial tears

• Chemical → Immediate irrigation

• Vasoconstrictors only offer temporary relief

• 🔄 Educate on contact lens hygiene & eye safety

🚨Red Flags for URGENTReferral (Mnemonic: “PAINFUL RED EYE”)

Pain (moderate–severe)

Altered vision

Increased IOP / halos

Neonatal discharge (copious)

Foreign body / trauma

Unilateral marked redness

Lens-related corneal ulcer

Also refer urgentlyif:

• Chemical burns

• Proptosis

• Suspected uveitis,endophthalmitis, scleritis, HSV, HZV

• Contact lenswearers with corneal involvement

🟡Refer within 24h: Anterior uveitis, scleritis

🟢Primary care: Simple viral/allergic conjunctivitis

📉Prognosis &Complications

• 👁️ Most cases resolve with correct treatment

• ❗Delayedtreatment risks:

 – Corneal scarring

 – Vision loss

 – Chronicinflammation

• ⚠️Early diagnosis = better outcomes

📚Red Eye Resources forMSRA:

📝 Revision Notes:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/red-eye-revision-notes/

🧠 Flashcards:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/red-eye-flashcards/

📖 Accordion Q&A Notes:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/red-eye-accordion-qa-notes/

🎯 Rapid Quiz:

https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/red-eye-rapid-quiz/

🎓 MSRA Quiz:

https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/red-eye/

📎 More MSRA resources to accompany this episode:

🌐https://www.passthemsra.com

🎁https://www.freemsra.com

Hashtags

#MSRA #MSRARevision#RedEye #OphthalmologyMSRA #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQANotes #MSRATextbook#PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA #RedEyeCauses #MSRATips