RESUMO
A 16-year-old teenager presented with acute severe eye pain and mild epistaxis. The family physician diagnosed an ophthalmologic emergency requiring evaluation. Acute sinusitis was not entertained. Subsequently, ENT evaluation and CT scan confirmed maxillary and anterior ethmoidal sinusitis. This lead to a search for criteria to improve diagnosis of acute sinusitis in the GP setting. Two or more of these symptoms ‐ mucopurulent rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction/congestion, facial pain/pressure and decreased sense of smell increase its likelihood. Other important issues discussed include differential diagnosis of eye pain associated with epistaxis, potential orbital complications of sinusitis and causes of the quiet, non-red eye.
RESUMO
El ojo rojo es uno de los motivos de consulta más comunes en atención ocular primaria, y el médico no oftalmólogo tiene la vital función de discernir cuando se trata de una patología que pueda amenazar la visión. En este artículo revisamos el enfoque diagnóstico del ojo rojo de acuerdo a nuestra experiencia profesional y empleando Medline para localizar artículos sobre el tema. Adicionalmente sugerimos un flujograma que esperamos guíe al médico de atención primaria al enfrentarse a estos casos. [Galvis V, Tello A, Díaz CA. Diagnóstico del ojo rojo para el médico de atención primaria. MedUNAB 2008; 11:231-238].
A red eye is one of the most common causes of consultation to ocular primary healthcare and non-ophthalmologist physician has the crucial role of detect conditions which can threat vision. In this article we review the diagnostic approach of red eye according to our professional experience and using Medline to locate articles on the subject. Also we suggest a diagnostic flow chart that we expect guide the primary healthcare provider when facing these cases. [Galvis V, Tello A, Díaz CA. Red eye diagnosis for the general practitioner in primary care. MedUNAB 2008; 11:231-238].