Diagnosis of Common Eye Conditions

Abstract

This chapter discusses various signs and symptoms of common eye conditions and their diagnosis. Diagnosis is the most important step in the care of an individual patient. The purpose of the history and examination is to make the diagnosis, and the purpose of the diagnosis is to give the correct treatment. If the diagnosis is wrong, then the treatment will also be wrong. There are two very common diagnostic problems in eye disease: (1) loss of vision, and (2) an irritable or painful red eye. Loss of vision is the most important symptom of eye disease. The pinhole test is a simple test to detect refractive errors. Often, patients with refractive errors screw up their eyelids to make their own pinhole, and they usually see better in bright light when the pupil constricts. Opacities are very common in the lens—quite common in the cornea, and less common in the vitreous. These opacities can be seen by the naked eye. However, the best way to assess the density and position of opacity anywhere in the ocular media is to dilate the pupil and examine the red fundus reflex with an ophthalmoscope.