Floaters and Flashes – patient information to assist informed consent
This RANZCO patient education pamphlet provides information on floaters and flashes that occur in the eye.
The topics discussed include:
- Anatomy of the eye
- Why floaters and flashes occur
- Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
- Diagnosis by an ophthalmologist.
This leaflet can be a useful tool for patients who have had a sudden onset of many floaters and flashes. The surgical methods for the treatment of floaters discussed are vitrectomy and YAG laser vitreolysis. The possible complications of vitrectomy are listed, including: cataract formation, glaucoma and retinal detachment.
Photocoagulation and cryotherapy are also discussed as surgical treatments for retinal tears. For patients requiring surgery for a detached retina, the College patient education pamphlet “Surgical Treatment of a Detached Retina” can provide more information.
Mi-tec publishes 16 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology patient information brochures. Floaters and flashes are described in plain English to assist the patients’ understanding of health information and to help patients make informed decisions. The RANZCO patient information brochures are printed in five-colour on high-quality A4 sheets.