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Taking a Good Ocular History

Jonathan A. Barnett

History of Present Illness:

  • Duration/Onset/Timing of visual or eye symptoms

  • Eye pain? Quality/Severity?

  • Symptoms constant or intermittent?

  • Has this happened to you before?

  • Any flashes/floaters/curtains/veils coming down in your field of vision? Timing of these?

  • Any associated systemic symptoms (nausea/vomiting, fever/chills, headaches, neurologic deficits)

Past Ocular History:

  • Do you wear glasses? For distance or reading or both? Contact lenses?

  • When was the last time you saw an eye doctor?

  • History of eye surgeries?

  • History of any other eye conditions? Cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy?

Family History:

  • Family history of any eye diseases? Glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy?

Social History:

  • Use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs?