Differential Diagnosis for Left Eye Floater in a 53-Year-Old Male with Hypertension
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Vitreous Detachment: This condition is common in individuals over 50 years old and can be associated with hypertension. The sudden appearance of a floater in one eye is often due to a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), where the vitreous gel separates from the retina.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Retinal Tear or Detachment: Although less common than vitreous detachment, retinal tears or detachments can cause floaters and are more likely in individuals with hypertension due to potential vascular changes.
- Vitreous Degeneration: As people age, the vitreous gel in the eye can degenerate, leading to floaters. This condition is exacerbated by hypertension.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Retinal Vasculitis: Inflammatory conditions affecting the blood vessels of the retina can cause floaters and are critical to diagnose early to prevent vision loss.
- Malignant Hypertension-Related Retinopathy: Severe hypertension can lead to retinal damage, including retinal detachment or vasculitis, which would present with floaters among other symptoms.
- Ocular Malignancy (e.g., Choroidal Melanoma): Although rare, tumors within the eye can cause floaters and are critical to diagnose early for treatment.
Rare Diagnoses
- Intraocular Inflammation (Uveitis): Conditions like uveitis can cause floaters due to inflammation within the eye. While not as common, they are important to consider, especially if other symptoms like eye pain or sensitivity to light are present.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: Although the patient's primary condition mentioned is hypertension, undiagnosed diabetes could lead to diabetic retinopathy, causing floaters among other symptoms.
- Posterior Scleritis: Inflammation of the sclera can cause floaters and is a rare condition that needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis due to its potential for severe vision loss if not treated.