In the setting of eye redness (ICD-10-GM H10.-: Conjunctivitis; ICD-10-GM H11.-: Other affections of the conjunctiva; ICD-10-GM H15.-: Affections of the sclera; ICD-10-GM H16.-: Keratitis), the eyeball is slightly to severely red. Eye redness is one of the most common symptoms and can occur concomitantly with many diseases.
In Germany, general practitioners examine about four to ten patients with eye problems every week.
One speaks of acute red eye if the finding persists for a maximum of up to 7 days.
Acute eye redness with pain can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Eye redness with pain/differential diagnoses”).
Eye pain can be a symptom of many diseases (see under “Eye pain/differential diagnoses”).
The patient must be referred directly to the ophthalmologist in cases of suspected foreign body or perforation, as well as the leading symptoms of eye pain, decrease in visual acuity (visual reduction), rock-hard bulb (eyeball), and/or involvement of the cornea (corneal defect; corneal opacity). In contact lens wearers, suspected microbial keratitis (serious corneal inflammation caused by microorganisms) also represents an ophthalmologic emergency.
Course and prognosis: Course and prognosis depend on the cause of the disease. Medical evaluation is required in all cases.
