Certified Ophthalmic Assistant Practice Exam

Flashes of light in one eye may indicate the need for what type of appointment?

1. Routine examination

2. Urgent care

3. General consultation

4. Referral to a specialist

The correct answer is: Urgent care

Flashes of light in one eye can be a symptom of several serious conditions, including retinal detachment or vitreous detachment. These conditions can result in loss of vision and require immediate evaluation by an eye care professional to prevent potential and often irreversible damage to the retina. Urgent care is crucial in these situations to diagnose the underlying cause promptly and initiate any necessary treatment. While a routine examination might identify some eye problems, it generally does not address acute symptoms that could signify a more serious condition. A general consultation may not provide the urgency required for a situation where vision is at risk. Referral to a specialist might be necessary based on what is found during the urgent care visit, but the immediate step should be getting urgent care to ensure prompt diagnosis and management of the symptoms. Therefore, seeking urgent care is the most appropriate course of action when a patient experiences flashes of light in one eye.