Ophthalmic Coding Specialist Practice Test

The primary diagnosis for an established patient with a red irritated eyelid is blepharitis. Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid margins characterized by redness, irritation, and often crusting of the eyelashes. It is a common condition that can result from a variety of factors, including bacteria, seborrheic dermatitis, or other skin conditions affecting the eyelids.

When seeking a primary diagnosis, it is essential to select the most specific and relevant condition that would account for the observed symptoms—in this case, the redness and irritation of the eyelid. While the other choices could present with symptoms related to the eyes, they do not specifically correspond to the features presented in this scenario. For instance, cataract surgery does not typically cause red and irritated eyelids, nor would diabetes complications typically present this way without other systemic signs. An eye infection could be a possible consideration, but symptoms of infection would likely be more pronounced and include additional signs such as discharge or systemic signs of infection, making blepharitis the best fit here.