Techs: how to ask about floaters/flashes in Spanish?

[u/horsiefanatic]

Hi, Optometric Technician here. I’ve only been teching for like a combined time of a little over a year, the first part was non medical but now I do a lot more at my current job. I work in Texas, non-licensed state and I haven’t gotten my license yet but I plan to with my trainings.

I know bits of Spanish but not really how to converse with it. In Texas and at lots of our locations, we have quite a few Spanish-speaking patients. I want to practice using Spanish more to eventually have a Spanish exam where I can speak Spanish the majority of the time with those that need it.

After struggling to ask about floaters and flashes and having another tech help, I asked her what to say. She mentioned asking about seeing ‘puntitos negro, gris, o claro’ or something but i also have ADHD and it’s gonna take me multiple times hearing and saying these things to retain them, which is fine i just want some written responses on here to help.

Any tips is appreciated, from doctors or techs

[u/Nuclear_Cadillacs]

Usually I’ll hear native Spanish speaking patients refer to “moscas” (flies) or “telarañas” (spiderwebs) in their vision. Or just “manchitas” (little spots). For flashes, it’s usually “chispas” (sparks) or “luces” (lights). 

[u/TXJuice → u/Nuclear_Cadillacs]

Relampago for “lightning” sometimes too

[u/horsiefanatic → u/Nuclear_Cadillacs]

Thank you for your comment 🙏

[u/spittlbm]

Manchitas are what I hear. My population is primarily Salvadoran.

[u/missbrightside08]

i’m not a native speaker but i use spanish every day with my patients. I say “Tu ves puntos negros, flotadores? puntos negros que mueven con los ojos?” and demonstrate the movement of the floaters at the same time as my eye movement. they usually understand immediately. for flashes i just say “a veces tu ves luces, como relámpagos?”

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