Abnormal findings are charted as a chain — finding, severity, comparison to baseline, the risk it creates, and the skilled action taken.
Sudden painless loss of vision in one eye — concerning for a retinal artery occlusion, retinal detachment, or stroke.
A painful red eye with halos around lights, nausea or vomiting, and a mid-dilated, poorly reactive pupil — concerning for acute angle-closure glaucoma.
New flashes of light, a shower of floaters, or a curtain or shadow over the visual field — concerning for retinal detachment.
New double vision or a visual-field cut with other neurologic signs — concerning for stroke (route to Neurological).
A red eye with significant pain, photophobia, or purulent discharge, or periorbital swelling and redness — concerning for keratitis, a serious conjunctivitis, or orbital/periorbital cellulitis.
A chemical splash to the eye — requiring immediate irrigation.
Incorrect eye-drop technique or non-adherence to a glaucoma or post-operative regimen — risking disease progression or surgical failure.
A new gradual decline in functional vision — increasing fall and medication-error risk and warranting evaluation (cross-reference Safety).
