The medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of the visual disorder.
Family history
- Are there any eye diseases in your family that are common?
Social anamnesis
Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).
- When did the visual disturbance occur? Describe the nature of the visual disturbance:
- Flicker
- Black dots*
- sudden appearance of dense black or red spots in the visual field (sooty rain)* .
- Blurred/distorted vision*
- wavy vision*
- Visual field loss*
- rapid, progressive loss of vision
- Total blindness*
- What changes have you noticed?
- Does the change occur in one eye or on both sides?* .
- Does the visual disturbance change? Does it get worse? Does it get better again?
- Have there been any other symptoms such as headaches, nausea, etc.?
- Has this symptomatology occurred before?
The sudden loss of vision is always an emergency, no matter how long it lasts!
Vegetative history including nutritional history.
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars, or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol more often? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses of it per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, which drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (eye diseases, infections)
- Operations (eye surgery)
- Radiotherapy
- Vaccination status
- Allergies
- Pregnancy
- Environmental history
Medication history
- Amiodarone
- Chloramphenicol
- D-Penicillamine
- Ethambutol
- Isoniazid
- Methanol
- Streptomycin
- Sulfonamide
Environmental history
- Arsenic
- Lead
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Data without guarantee)
