What condition presents with a painful red eye, hard on palpation, and does not react to light?

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Acute angle-closure glaucoma is characterized by a painful red eye that typically has a hardness on palpation due to elevated intraocular pressure. This condition is marked by a rapid onset of symptoms, which can include severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. The eye may appear red and is often non-reactive to light due to the increased pressure and potential damage to the optic nerve.

In contrast, allergic conjunctivitis usually presents with redness and itching, along with tearing, but does not usually cause significant pain or a hard feeling in the eye. Uveitis, while it can present with redness and pain, often does not produce the palpably hard eye unless associated with significant intraocular inflammation or secondary complications. A corneal abrasion usually results in intense pain and photophobia, and the eye is not typically hard to touch.

Thus, the characteristics of acute angle-closure glaucoma—such as the painful red eye, hard feeling upon palpation, and lack of light response—clearly delineate it as the correct diagnosis in this scenario.

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