Which of the following most qualifies as a chief complaint?

A chief complaint is typically defined as the primary symptom or concern that brings a patient to seek medical attention. Among the options provided, eye fatigue stands out as a subjective experience that is often reported by patients when they feel discomfort or strain in their eyes, usually due to prolonged use or an underlying condition.

While pain in the eye and increased sensitivity to light are also significant concerns that patients may express when seeking care, they are more specific and often indicate a potential pathology that warrants further investigation, rather than a description of an overall standard complaint. History of eye disease, on the other hand, refers to a patient’s background rather than current distress and does not capture the immediate concern demanding attention.

Choosing eye fatigue as the chief complaint highlights the need to address recurring discomfort that affects daily visual tasks, making it an appropriate choice as it directly relates to the patient’s experience and concerns at the time of the visit.