Virtual consultation for red eye.

### What you need to know A 63 year old woman contacts her general practice, via a telephone call, reporting a left painful red eye since yesterday. Because of the covid-19 pandemic, she is booked in for a video consultation with a GP the same day. Face-to-face consultations remain the optimal medium for ophthalmic consultation. Virtual consultations have been implemented as an alternative in the covid-19 pandemic.123456789 In a recent London study of 854 patients, video consultations for emergency ophthalmology services in adults had similar safety to face-to-face consultations. There was a higher rate of unplanned reattendance, but most patients were satisfied with video consultations.10 Red eye is a common ophthalmic presentation in primary care, accounting for 2 to 3% of the consultations.11 Virtual consultation for red eye(s) follow the same format and principles as face-to-face consultations. Performing ocular examination remotely can be challenging. Adaptation with specific instructions to the patient and/or family member will be required. ### Telephone consultation You may ask for history of presenting symptoms over a telephone consultation to determine the cause and severity of red eye. A telephone consultation also provides an opportunity to advise patients on any immediate measures that need to be taken while awaiting an appointment for a virtual video examination (such as not wearing contact lenses …