eye disorders
Eye Flashes and Floaters
What the doctor does
Doctors first ask questions about the person's symptoms and medical history. Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the flashes or floaters and the tests that may need to be done (see table). Doctors ask the person to describe the flashes and floaters and then ask When the person noticed symptoms What characteristics the flashes or floaters have (for example, shapes, movement, or whether they recur) Whether symptoms occur in one or both eyes Whether the person sees flashing lights or whether any part of vision is missing or seems covered by a curtain Whether the person has had an eye injury or eye surgery Whether other symptoms (such as blurred vision, eye redness, eye pain, or headaches) are present Whether the person is nearsighted Whether the person has disorders that may affect vision, such as diabetes or an immune system disorder The eye examination is the most important part of the physical examination. Doctors check sharpness of vision, eye movements, and the pupil's response to light. They also check the eyes for redness and the visual field for areas of vision loss. Ophthalmoscopy is the most important part of the eye examination. Doctors first use drops to dilate the pupils. Then they use an What Is an Ophthalmoscope? (a light with magnifying lenses that shines into the back of the eye) to examine the inside of the person's eyes, including as much of the retina as possible. If one of the serious causes of flashes or floaters seems possible, an evaluation by an ophthalmologist is critical. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the evaluation and treatment (surgical and nonsurgical) of eye disorders. Pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure) is measured after a drop of anesthetic is put into the eye. stain in the eye and then use a What Is a Slit Lamp? (an instrument that enables a doctor to examine the eye under high magnification) to examine the entire eye. 