Sub-tarsal foreign bodies under the upper eyelid should be ruled out (see ' Upper And Lower Eyelid Eversion' section). Unless relatively minor, an urgent referral is required for an ophthalmological assessment, especially in contact lens wearers where the chance of infection may be higher. The corneal abrasion is therefore highlighted using a white or cobalt blue light, the latter wavelength illuminating the fluorescein.Ĭorneal abrasion: There is a subconjuctival haemorrhage and a small circular epithelial defect at the lower border of the pupil visible with white light. The diagnosis is facilitated by additional use of topical fluorescein dye which stains any part of the cornea devoid of epithelium. Symptoms include significant pain, photophobia, watering and occasionally reduced vision.Īssessment involves instillation of a topical anaesthetic which usually dramatically improves the foreign body discomfort. Corneal AbrasionsĬorneal abrasions are generally from the ocular surface being scratched, commonly from finger nails, plants and paper. Although a detailed examination of the cornea requires slit-lamp biomicroscopy, many conditions can be diagnosed by close inspection with a pen-torch light (especially with the additional use of topical fluorescein). Symptoms of corneal disease usually include pain, photophobia, lacrimation (excess tear production) and sometimes visual blurring and/or glare.

The typical appearance is dilated inflamed conjunctival blood vessels around the limbus, often described as ciliary injection or limbal blush. The cornea is a transparent avascular structure but can still be a cause of eye redness when affected by various conditions.

Red ring around pupil of eye