Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Eye Inspection

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Inspect the eyes and surrounding structures. Note the position and alignment of the eyes, the eyelids and lid margins (including any drooping, swelling, or lesions), and the eyelashes. Examine the conjunctiva and sclera for color and injection, the cornea and lens for clarity, and the iris, and note the size, shape, and symmetry of the pupils. Observe for any discharge, excessive tearing, or redness.

How to Interpret

Anemia

Conjunctival pallor (pale palpebral conjunctiva on lower-lid eversion)

Rule in

Somewhat helpful

Rule out

Minimally helpful

Evidence:Limited

References

Sheth TN, Choudhry NK, Bowes M, Detsky AS. The relation of conjunctival pallor to the presence of anemia. J Gen Intern Med. 1997;12(2):102-106. PMID: 9051559.
Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Diagnoses

Anemia Dyslipidemia (Hyperlipidemia)Horner Syndrome Hyperbilirubinemia (Jaundice)Myasthenia Gravis Thyroid Eye Disease (Graves Orbitopathy)Wilson Disease

Related Chief Complaints

Abnormal Movements Brown Ring Around the Iris Bulging Eyes Chest Pain Clumsiness Corneal Arcus Dark Urine Decreased Sweating on One Side of the Face Difficulty Swallowing Difficulty Writing Dizziness Double Vision Drooling Drooping Eyelid Drooping Eyelids Dry Gritty Eyes Exertional Dyspnea Eye Irritation Eye Pain Eye Protrusion Eyelid Droop Eyelid Droop Worse at the End of the Day Eyelid Retraction Facial Flushing on One Side Facial Weakness Fatigable Weakness Fatigue Fatty Skin Lumps High Cholesterol on Testing Incidental Finding Itching Jaundice Leg Swelling Lightheadedness Mood Changes Muscle Weakness That Worsens with Activity One Eye Looks Different Pale Stools Pallor Palpitations Personality Change Protruding Eyes Redness Around the Eyes Ring Around the Cornea Shortness of Breath Slurred Speech Small Pupil Staring Appearance Sunken Eye Appearance Swelling Around the Eyes Tea-colored Urine Tendon Lumps Tremor Trouble Holding the Head Up Unequal Pupils Watery Eyes Weak Chewing Weak Limbs Weakness Xanthelasma Yellow Bumps on the Skin Yellow Deposits Around the Eyes Yellow Discoloration Yellow Eyes Yellow Skin Yellowing of the Eyes

Related Systems / Regions

Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

Pallor Evaluation

Rule in:SHAnemia

Rule out:MHAnemia

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

Carotid Artery Palpation

Rule in:HAortic Stenosis, HTakayasu Arteritis, SHAortic Dissection +7 more

Rule out:SHAortic Stenosis, IEAortic Regurgitation, IECarotid Artery Stenosis +5 more

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

Spleen Palpation

Rule in:SHCirrhosis, SHInfectious Mononucleosis, IEChronic Myeloid Leukemia +10 more

Rule out:MHInfectious Mononucleosis, IEChronic Myeloid Leukemia, IECirrhosis with Portal Hypertension +9 more

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

Abdomen Palpation

Rule in:VHAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm, VHPyloric Stenosis, VHSigmoid Diverticulitis +29 more

Rule out:SHCholecystitis, SHHepatomegaly, MHAbdominal Aortic Aneurysm +28 more

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

Rule in:VHAortic Regurgitation, VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HAcute Aortic Dissection +11 more

Rule out:VHVolume Depletion From Significant Blood Loss, HLow-output State (Low Cardiac Index) Within Established Chronic Heart Failure, SHAcute Aortic Dissection +10 more

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

Rule in:HAtrial Fibrillation, SHHypothyroidism, SHPneumonia +7 more

Rule out:VHAtrial Fibrillation, MHAdverse Short-term Outcome in Confirmed Pulmonary Embolism, IECardiac Tamponade +5 more