Referral criteria from primary care - floaters and flashes

• if floaters/flashes are of recent onset (less than six weeks duration): urgent outpatient referral (within one week)
  • sooner if the floaters/flashes worsen
    
    
• if flashes/floaters are of recent onset and associated with decreased vision then urgent casualty referral is indicated
• if longstanding floaters/flashes then some suggest no need for referral (1) whilst others suggest routine referral (2)
  
  
• if a new onset field loss then for specialist review within one day (2)
  
  
• acute blurring of vision then urgent review within one to three days (2)

Reference:

• Update 1998; 57 (4):286-9.
• Gariano RF, Kim CH. Evaluation and management of suspected retinal detachment.Am Fam Physician. 2004 Apr 1;69(7):1691-8.