EYE,  VISION LOSS

Flashes and floaters

  • Floaters may be caused by
    • vitreous debris from
      • infection
      • inflammation
      • haemorrhage
    • age-related degeneration of the vitreous
      • forming condensations of collagen fibres
    • Patients may describe floaters as ‘flies’, ‘cobwebs’ or ‘worms’ that are more pronounced against light backgrounds
    • hemorrhage of retinal vessels
      • into the vitreous is described as minute black or red spots
      • most common cause: proliferative diabetic retinopathy
  • Flashes
    • are visual phenomena known as photopsias
    • “perception of light in the absence of external light stimuli”
    • described
      • momentary arc of white light
      • similar to a bolt of lightning or a camera flash.
Ophthalmic
Flashes
Ophthalmic
Floaters
Ophthalmic
Both Flashes and FLoaters
Non-opthalmic flashes
Posterior vitreous detachmentPosterior vitreous detachmentPosterior vitreous detachmentMigraine – scintillating scotomas, coloured lights, bilateral, evolves over 5 to 30 minutes before resolving with onset of a headache, normal visual acuity
Retinal detachmentRetinal detachmentRetinal detachmentPostural hypotension – bilateral temporary dimming of vision and
light-headedness
Retinal tear/holeRetinal tear/holeRetinal tear/holeOccipital tumours
Optic neuropathy/neuritis – photopsia on eye movement, retrobulbar painVitreous haemorrhagePosterior UveitisVertebrobasilar insufficiency/ TIA
RetinitisVitritisHallucinations
Rapid Eye movement in DarkenssVitreous syneresisGCA
Corneal Opacity/FB/Tear film debris

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