Differential Diagnosis
The patient's symptoms of blurred vision, floaters, and flashing lights without eye pain can be caused by several conditions. Here's a differential diagnosis organized into categories:
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD): This condition is characterized by the separation of the vitreous gel from the retina, causing floaters and flashing lights. It is a common condition, especially in older adults, and typically does not cause eye pain.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Vitreous Degeneration: As people age, the vitreous gel in the eye can degenerate, causing floaters and blurred vision.
- Retinal Tear or Detachment: Although the patient does not report eye pain, a retinal tear or detachment can cause symptoms like floaters and flashing lights, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
- Migraine: Ocular migraines can cause visual disturbances like blurred vision, flashing lights, and floaters, often without eye pain.
- Do Not Miss
- Retinal Detachment: This is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Although the patient does not report eye pain, a retinal detachment can cause symptoms like floaters and flashing lights.
- Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: This condition can cause sudden, painless vision loss, and is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.
- Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: This condition can cause sudden, painless vision loss, and is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.
- Rare diagnoses
- Ocular Lyme Disease: This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including blurred vision, floaters, and flashing lights, although it is relatively rare.
- Intraocular Inflammation (Uveitis): This condition can cause symptoms like blurred vision, floaters, and flashing lights, although it is often accompanied by eye pain and sensitivity to light.
- Choroidal Melanoma: This is a rare type of eye cancer that can cause symptoms like blurred vision, floaters, and flashing lights, although it is often asymptomatic in its early stages.