TUTORIAL
MODULE: Ophthalmology
CASE: Red and Sticky
IDENTIFYING DATA
Peter Ayala, 35 years old
Works as an IT engineer
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
Nothing significant
MEDICATION
None
HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS
Mr. Ayala has booked into an early morning emergency appointment. As he sits down, you see he has an
obvious red right eye. You ask him what you can do for him today, and he laughs as he says “I don’t
know if you’ve noticed, but my eye is red.” He tells you that he woke up yesterday and his right eye was
red and sticky. He is concerned about what might be going on. He never normally gets ill and has never
had any eye problems before.
GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What are the possible red flags that might indicate a serious cause? Give at least four.
2. Aside from red flags, what else would you like to ask about?
3. Describe your examination
4. What is the most likely diagnosis?
5. How should you treat infectious conjunctivitis?
6. What safety net should you put in place?