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Light Flashes

Aka: Light Flashes, Photopsias

See Also
1. Floaters
Definition
1. Light Flashes in visual field
Pathophysiology
1. Traction or inflammation of Choroid or Retina
Differential Diagnosis
1. Retinal Detachment
2. Inflammation or infection of Retina or Choroid
3. Migraine Headache (bilateral)
4. Optic Neuritis
5. Hypotension (bilateral)
6. Transient Ischemic Attack
7. Posterior Vitreous Detachment
Management
1. Ophthalmology to assess differential diagnosis
  1. Patient should be seen within one week
References
1. Noble (2001) Primary Care Medicine, p. 1701
2. Gariano (2004) Am Fam Physician 69:1691-8

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 5/18/2012.

This is one of 5740 pages in the Family Practice Notebook