Clinical Pearls for Diagnosis—Signs and Symptoms (Anterior and Posterior)

Identifying red flags through the patient’s history and symptoms helps triage and prioritise urgency and guide management. It allows for the early detection of serious conditions such as retinal detachment, stroke and intracranial masses. It guides diagnostic prioritisation and prevents delay in care. Equally important, knowing which red flags are absent helps reassure patients when their symptoms are likely to be benign and assists in issuing advice. This chapter lists the red flags in tables and text and gives guidance on recognition, management and when to refer for specialist treatment. It covers many aspects of disease, including neurological and central nervous systems, with a detailed diagram of the various pathological scotomas.