Virtual consultation for red eye

What you need to know• Virtual consultation, when performed in a systematic fashion, is a safe alternative to face-to-face examination to diagnose and manage patients with acute red eye(s) • Advise the patient to report if symptoms remain unchanged or worsen, as important diagnoses may be missed at the initial virtual consultation • Arrange prompt ophthalmology referral for patients with a red eye and symptoms such as ocular pain, ipsilateral headache, loss of vision or double vision, photophobia, history of trauma or surgery, corneal haziness, or systemic signs of infection This is part of a series of occasional articles on common problems in primary care.The BMJ welcomes contributions from GPs.