Flashes and Floaters: Using POCUS to Detect Retinal Detachment in Primary Care

In this episode of the "Southern Medicine Podcast," Tatiana Havryliuk, MD, and Randy Glick, BSB/PM, MCP explore a case involving a 56-year-old male who presented to his primary care provider with a two-day history of acute floaters and flashes of light in his left eye. They discuss the patient's medical history, including hypertension and mild cataracts, review exam findings with preserved visual acuity and limited fundoscopic visualization, and detail how ocular point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) was used to identify a retinal detachment at the bedside. The episode highlights how rapid recognition with POCUS led to same-day ophthalmology referral and prompt retinal repair, preventing progression to central vision loss.  Dr. Tatiana Havryliuk is an emergency physician and founder of Hello Sono. With 15 years of experience using POCUS in diverse settings, from urban EDs to Everest Base Camp, she is dedicated to extending its benefits to more patients. With Hello Sono, she and her team support practices in building compliant, high-quality, and profitable POCUS programs through tailored education and implementation.