Evaluation of the Painful Eye

The authors aim to provide guidance for family physicians on the evaluation and management of eye pain, emphasizing the importance of identifying red-flag symptoms that necessitate urgent ophthalmology referral. They outline a systematic approach to patient history and physical examination, highlighting key findings that indicate serious conditions such as acute angle-closure glaucoma and orbital cellulitis. The article advocates for an algorithmic method to differentiate between urgent and nonurgent causes of eye pain, ensuring timely and appropriate care.