title: Value of subjective visual reduction in patients with acute-onset floaters and/or flashes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the association between subjective visual reduction (SVR) and retinal pathology in patients with acute-onset monocular floaters or flashes, or both.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohorts study involving all new patients referred for acute-onset floaters or flashes, or both, to a tertiary care emergency eye clinic in Kingston, Ontario, between July 1, 2011, and June 29, 2012 (n = 333).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were evaluated for the presence of SVR in a standardized fashion, as well as other known risk factors for retina pathology including a family history of retinal tear or retinal detachment, a personal history of retinal tear or detachment, high myopia, and ocular trauma. Our major outcome was urgent retinal pathology, defined as retina pathology requiring a same-day referral to a retina specialist for evaluation, management, or both.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SVR was strongly associated with retinal pathology (likelihood ratio 7.9, 95% CI 5.2-12.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with SVR are at increased risk for urgent retinal pathology and should be triaged for urgent ophthalmologic examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University and Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University and Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: Davin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University and Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Law
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University and Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Queen's University and Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, Ont.. Electronic address: sanjay_sharma60@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010719:Phosphenes; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D020255:Vitreous Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult