How is a history of ophthalmic problems taken?

The following information is taken verbatin from ophthobook.com

History of Present Illness
As with all other specialties, a detailed ocular history is crucial to diagnosis. You should explore every complaint with the “basic questions” — when did it start, what’s it like, is there anything that makes it better or worse, are you taking any medications for relieve, etc..

Specific HPI review of systems should also include:

• Floaters and flashing lights: These are the classic symptoms of a retinal detachment and retinal tears so ask EVERY patient about these symptoms. Most patients complain of some floaters - see if they’re actually new or have worsened recently. • Transient vision loss: Think of migraine vessel spasm in the young and micro-emboli in the elderly. Curtains of darkness might indicate an ischemic event or a retinal detachment, so explore these symptoms in detail. • Blurry vision: Is the vision always blurry? Does it worsen when reading or watching TV (people blink less when watching TV and develop dry eyes). Is this a glare problem at night that might indicate cataracts? Does the diabetic patient have poor control and hyperglycemic swelling of the lens? • Red, painful eyes: A common complaint. Be sure to ask about the nature of the pain (is this a scratchy pain, aching pain, or only pain with bright light). Is there discharge that might indicate an infection? • Chronic itching and tearing: Think about allergies or blepharitis. Is it in both eyes? • Headaches and scalp tenderness: Think of temporal (giant cell) arteritis and ask about other collaborating symptoms like jaw claudication, polymyalgias, weight loss, and night sweats

PMH (past medical history)
Past medical history should include the usual health questions, but with the main emphasis on conditions directly contributing to ocular pathology such as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Also, ask about thyroid problems and asthma (you might need to prescribe a beta-blocker and you don’t want to set off bronchospasm).

POH (past ocular history)
Ocular history should inquire about past clinic visits and surgeries. Specifically inquire about cataract surgeries, eye trauma, and glaucoma. You can often piece together your patient’s ocular history by examining their eyedrops.

Family History
Focus on history of glaucoma and blindness. Patients will often confuse glaucoma with cataracts, so be sure to clarify the difference.

Allergies
List basic allergies and their reaction. We sometimes give Diamox to control eye pressure so make sure your glaucoma patient isn’t allergic to sulfa drugs.

Medications
Find out what eyedrops your patient is taking, and why. Are they using a regular eyedrop? How about vasoconstricting Visine? Did they bring their drops with them? If your patient can’t remember their medications, it often helps to ask about the bottlecap-color of their drops (ex. all dilating drops have red caps). Also, it’s nice to know if your patient is taking an oral beta-blocker already, in case you want to start a beta-blocking eyedrop.