FLASH: A Novel Tool to Identify Vision-Threating Eye Emergencies

Background: Two million patients visit emergency departments due to eye complaints annually in the United States, yet nearly one-quarter of these visits are for non-urgent ocular problems. Other patients often present a significant length of time after the onset of their symptoms, which may cause progression to irreversible vision loss. A major reason for this discrepancy is that many patients are unsure what symptoms constitute eye emergencies. The challenge is helping patients understand what constitutes a vision-threatening eye emergency, as well as the risks and complications that are associated with delaying their visit to the ophthalmologist or Emergency Department.

Objectives: To describe relevant literature on incidence, prevalence, presentation times, associated prognoses, risks, and complications of individual vision-threating eye emergencies, and present a novel acronym, FLASH (Floaters and flashes, Loss of vision, Aching pain, Second Image, Help), to better educate patients at risk for these conditions, fostering better symptom recognition and timely care. This manuscript is aimed at reaching public health departments, educational institutions, primary care offices and eye care centers as part of a dedicated patient education effort for vision-threatening eye emergencies.

Design / Methods: Narrative overview of the available literature on specific eye conditions presenting with the aforementioned symptoms, synthesizing findings retrieved from searches of computerized databases and authoritative texts.

Conclusions: In each condition presented in this article, symptom interval significantly impacts treatment prognoses. The cited literature demonstrates that patients often present late in emergent eye conditions resulting in vision loss.