Template:Presumed posterior vitreous detachment management

Revision as of 15:38, 12 March 2015 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk | contribs) (Undo revision 33655 by Rossdonaldson1 (talk))

Suggested Approach for Referral of Patients With Presumed posterior vitreous detachment

  • Floaters and/or flashes with “red flag” sign of acute Retinal Detachment
    • Monocular visual field loss (“curtain of darkness”)
  • Same-day (immediate) referral to retinal surgeon (minutes may matter)
  • New-onset floaters and/or flashes with high-risk features:
    • Subjective or objective visual reduction examination
    • Vitreous hemorrhage or vitreous pigment on slitlamp examination
  • Same-day referral to ophthalmologist or retinal surgeon
  • New-onset floaters and/or flashes without high-risk features
  • Referral to ophthalmologist within 1 to 2 weeks
    • Counsel patient regarding high-risk features
  • Recently diagnosed uncomplicated posterior vitreous detachment with
    • New shower of floaters
    • New subjective visual reduction
  • Rereferral to ophthalmologist to rule out new retinal tear or detachment
    • Contact ophtho to help determine urgency
  • Stable symptoms of floaters and/or flashes for several weeks to months, not particularly bothersome to the patient and without high-risk features
  • Elective referral to ophthalmologist
    • Counsel patient regarding high-risk features that should prompt urgent reassessment