8th December 2023

Ophthalmic history

History of presenting complaint:

• Onset and duration
• Laterality
• Pain history using a SOCRATES approach, important to distinguish periorbital from ocular pain
• Appearance of the eye
  • Redness, swelling or lumps in the eyelids
  • Redness of the conjunctiva or sclera, visible lesions
  • Cloudiness of the cornea
• Discharge – colour and onset
• Foreign body sensation or itching
• Photophobia
• Visual symptoms such as decreased/blurred vision, diplopia, scotomas and transient visual obscurations
• Possible precipitants such as trauma or chemical injury
• Previous episodes
  • Past ocular history – refractive errors, contact lens wear, previous ocular surgery, congenital problems, chronic eye conditions
  • Drugs applied directly to the eye or peri-ocularly
  • Family history of ophthalmic conditions