DISPELLING MYTHS, AND MANAGING PATIENT SELF-DIAGNOSIS IN INDEPENDENT OPTOMETRY

Doctor, I see floaters in my vision. I think I have a retinal detachment! I don't need an exam because I did a screening online. I put a moist teabag on my eye so it would heal faster. I know I can't have glaucoma because I smoke pot every day. Did I get your attention with that last one? The truth is, these are all statements I've personally heard from patients. Welcome to the world of the Internet and self-diagnosis. According to Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life