Case study: unusual presentation of a red eye

1 November 2023
Autumn 2023
Public health Research Practice

Scott Mackie FCOptom is an independent prescribing optometrist working in primary care. He discusses how to discriminate between a red eye that can be managed and one that has to be referred.

Presentation

During the pandemic in Scotland, optometrists were asked to train to help administer COVID-19 vaccinations. I volunteered for this training and during one of my vaccination shifts I met a 67-year-old male patient who I noted had significant hyperaemia of his left eye. I mentioned this to him and he stated he did not have a regular optometrist and had started to be bothered slightly by the condition.

Medical and ocular history

Feels well and no past eye history. No allergies. No medication. No relevant family history.

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