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Red eye (primary care triage)

A chapter-bounded Australian summary of red eye (primary care triage), using exact named Queensland PCCM content and any exact national source listed on this page.

JurisdictionAustralia
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team · Clinical editorial review · reviewed 2026-08-20 · due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Australia
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Australia sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. Queensland PCCM eye assessment is a Queensland implementation source. Apply only the cited chapter scope and verify the equivalent state or territory pathway.

Scope

Primary red-eye assessment using the exact Queensland PCCM eye-assessment and differential chapters. Simple conjunctivitis is not assumed until vision-threatening causes are excluded.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM eye assessment

The Bottom Line

  • Assess pain, photophobia, vision change, contact-lens use, trauma, chemical exposure, discharge, pupil and corneal appearance.
  • Measure visual acuity in each eye where possible because external redness alone does not define severity.
  • Use fluorescein and other examination techniques only when trained and interpret them with the referral pathway.
  • Do not start topical corticosteroid for an undifferentiated red eye without ophthalmic advice.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM eye assessment

Practical clinical workflow

1
Take a rapid eye history and assess pupils, movements, cornea, anterior appearance and surrounding tissues.
2
Irrigate chemical exposure immediately before completing nonessential history or testing.
3
Use the equivalent local ophthalmology pathway for referral destination and timing.
4
Give specific deterioration advice and ensure contact-lens-related pain or corneal concern receives timely specialist assessment.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM eye assessment

Safety boundaries and escalation

  • Reduced vision, severe pain, fixed or irregular pupil, corneal opacity, penetrating trauma or acute-glaucoma features requires emergency ophthalmology.
  • Chemical injury requires immediate prolonged irrigation and urgent specialist advice.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM eye assessment

Implementation

Queensland PCCM eye assessment is a Queensland source. It supplies an Australian implementation example, not a national rule. Confirm the equivalent pathway, referral destination and medicine policy in the patient’s state or territory. Check current TGA product information for medicines. Offer culturally safe care and use the NACCHO–RACGP National Guide where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventive or chronic-care recommendations differ.
sources for this section:Queensland PCCM eye assessment

Clinical use boundary

This independently written summary is not an official guideline. Check the linked source version, current TGA-approved product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable state, territory and local pathway at the point of care.

sources for this section:Queensland PCCM eye assessment

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Queensland Health and Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland SectionPrimary Clinical Care Manual, 12th edition: Eye assessment and eye differential diagnosisISBN 978-1-876560-22-5; Eye assessment and eye differential diagnosis, pp. 263–268 · 12th edition 2025, v1.03 with updates through 21 July 2026; exact chapter at printed pages 263–268 · accessed 2026-08-20
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