Optometrists are charged with the task of screening for glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and other diseases and making appropriate referrals for conditions outside their scope of practice. It is common practice to refer out cases that appear problematic. This has kept the number of lawsuits nationwide against optometrists to less than 100 per year.

In a case of a patient experiencing flashing and floaters, the following scenarios are possible:

1.  A wide-angle image of the retina is ordered and is normal. Patient is asked to return if symptoms persist.
2.  The patient has dilated exam but the periphery of the retina is not documented.  Patient is asked to return in 2 weeks.
3.  A visual field is normal and the patient is asked to return next week for a dilated exam.

In these scenarios if the patient suffers a retinal detachment, the doctor’s decision making may be questioned.