Cornea and external eye disease
Diseases of the cornea, conjunctiva and lid margins include a broad array of low and high morbidity conditions. They generally have a “red eye” as a component of their clinical presentation. If vision has not been affected by the red eye and it is felt to be a non-sight-threatening condition, an optometrist could assess and possibly treat the patient. Common low morbidity red eye conditions would include dry eye, blepharitis, conjunctivitis, non-ulcerative keratitis and superficial foreign body.
(Optometrist role: ECWG see Appendix A).
High morbidity conditions which are sight threatening and are related to the cornea and external eye include corneal laceration, chemical burn, ulcerative keratitis (viral, bacterial and fungal) and gonorrhoeal or chlamydial conjunctivitis. An emergent referral to an ophthalmologist would be indicated.
Ophthalmologists with an interest in cornea and external eye disease include:
* These clinicians have sub-specialty training in Cornea and external eye disease
