Eye pain is a common presentation with a broad differential. A structured history is essential to identify sight-threatening and systemic causes. It is important to ask about eye pain when taking an ophthalmic history, even if it is not the presenting complaint. Presenting Complaint: Eye Pain Start with an open question A useful framework to
My medical school ophthalmology elective to Southern Africa was cancelled during COVID. Three years later, as an F3 doctor, I decided to make it happen anyway, volunteering at the rural eye clinic where I had originally planned my elective. This article is a guide on how to arrange and make the most of an elective
When taking a history from a patient presenting with ophthalmic symptoms, it is important to ask about any vision loss. Vision loss can be either partial or complete. It can be caused by pathologies affecting the transit of light through the eye or the transmission and processing of neuronal signals along the visual pathway. This
Introduction Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumour cerebri, is a disorder of raised intracranial pressure with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) constituents and no underlying intracranial pathology. IIH typically affects obese women of childbearing age, however either sex, any age and individuals of any weight can be affected. Patients with IIH have significant morbidity
Definition An acute onset, idiopathic paralysis of seventh cranial nerve (CN VII). This is usually self limiting, and the exact aetiology is unclear but viral reactivation (particularly herpes simplex virus type 1) is a leading hypothesis. This is the most common cause of seventh cranial nerve palsy. Anatomy/physiology CN VII provides both motor and sensory
Red eyes are a common presentation in patients, but its causes and consequences can vary significantly. Amongst the many differential diagnoses, episcleritis and scleritis stand out as two conditions that can look similar but have very different implications and treatments. As a medical student or a resident doctor, distinguishing between the two conditions is essential to not only triage
Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) is a relatively common ophthalmic condition that most doctors will encounter in general practice, the emergency department, or ophthalmology referrals (1). Although it is often benign, it can present with symptoms also seen in more serious conditions and so being able to accurately recognise and triage patients is essential. This article aims
A subconjunctival haemorrhage (SCH) can appear alarming to patients: the sudden, bright red bleeding on the white of the eye can often raise fears of a serious problem. However, for doctors, it is crucial to distinguish between a harmless cause and an underlying condition which needs further investigation. This article aims to provide medical students
Conjunctivitis, which is often termed “pink eye”, is one of the most frequent causes of red eye presentations within primary care and the emergency department. In most cases, the condition is self-limiting. However, recognising the type of conjunctivitis – viral, bacterial, or allergic – is essential to managing it appropriately. Furthermore, it aids the prevention of unnecessary
Introduction Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (HZO) is the term for shingles that involves the ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve (CNV1). It typically presents with unilateral involvement of the forehead, upper eyelid, eye or nose, corresponding to the CNV1 dermatome. Up to 50% of patients with HZO are at risk of ocular complications, including keratitis, uveitis,
