What initial investigations should be performed in primary care to assess for retinal detachment before referral?

In primary care, initial investigations to assess for retinal detachment include a dilated fundoscopy examination performed by a practitioner competent in slit lamp examination and indirect ophthalmoscopy to fully examine the peripheral retina and look for signs of retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage ¹.

Fundoscopic signs of retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage should be identified, and specialist assessment arranged urgently if these signs are present ¹.

It is important to note that retinal detachment cannot be reliably excluded using direct ophthalmoscopy alone in primary care, and a dilated examination is necessary ¹.