Office Ophthalmology: What is Urgent?

The author describes eye problems in general practice, from problems appearing in neonates to those in the elderly. Refractive problems are most common. Visually threatening eye disease that requires urgent treatment or referral is important, despite its rarity. Early detection and treatment of amblyopia is important in children. In diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding disease, maculopathy and proliferative retinopathy require immediate referral. Chronic simple glaucoma and cataracts cause gradual loss of vision in the older adult. Sudden loss of vision can be caused by optic neuritis, which is occasionally the first sign of multiple sclerosis. Retinal artery and retinal vein thrombosis are more common in older individuals with vascular disease. One of the most common causes of gradual visual loss in the elderly is senile macular degeneration.