What is sudden vision loss?
Sudden vision loss is when you lose some or all of your vision quickly. The loss can happen within a few minutes or over a few days. Vision loss differs from blurry vision Blurry Vision Blurry vision is when you don't see as clearly or sharply as you once did. It's the most common vision problem. Blurry vision is different from loss of vision. Loss of vision means you become... read more . Blurry vision is when you don't see as clearly as you once did.
The vision loss may be in one or both eyes
The vision loss may affect the whole eye or just part of the eye
You may also have eye pain, depending on what's causing your sudden vision loss
Sudden vision loss is an emergency—go to the hospital right away.
What causes sudden vision loss?
Most common causes:
A blocked blood vessel in your eye
An eye injury
Bleeding inside your eye—people with diabetes Diabetes Diabetes is a disease in which your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. You get diabetes if your body's normal way of controlling blood sugar isn't working right. There are 2 types of... read more are at risk for this
Less common causes:
Stroke Stroke A stroke is a sudden brain problem that happens when a blood vessel in your brain either gets blocked or breaks open and bleeds. Part of your brain stops getting blood. Brain tissue that doesn't... read more or mini-stroke Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) A TIA is a short-term problem in your brain. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to part of your brain. A TIA is similar to a stroke except that a TIA doesn't cause long-lasting brain damage... read more (when the flow of blood to an area of your brain is cut off)
Retinal detachment Detachment of the Retina The retina is a layer of cells at the back of your eye that's sensitive to light and sends signals to the brain that allow you to see. A detached retina is one that has separated from the back... read more (when your retina, the thin, light-sensing layer at the back of your eye, pulls away from the eyeball)
Some problems cause total vision loss. The same problems may cause only partial vision loss if they affect only part of your eye.
When should I see a doctor?
Go to the hospital right away if you have sudden vision loss. Most of the time, the cause is serious.
Even if your vision returns quickly on its own, sudden vision loss can be a sign that you may have had a mini-stroke Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) A TIA is a short-term problem in your brain. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to part of your brain. A TIA is similar to a stroke except that a TIA doesn't cause long-lasting brain damage... read more .
What will happen at my doctor visit?
Doctors will ask about your symptoms and health history.
Doctors will:
Check your vision with an eye chart
Check how your eyes react to light
See whether your eyes can follow a moving object
Put some liquid drops in your eye (you may have a burning feeling that lasts a few seconds)
Look into your eye using a special magnifying light (the light is very bright)
Measure the pressure in your eye (there are many ways to do this, but none of them hurt)
Check whether you can see colors
They may also check other parts of your body, such as your skin or nervous system.
What tests will I need?
Doctors will do tests as needed, depending on what they think is causing your vision loss:
Ultrasound Ultrasonography A variety of tests can be done to confirm an eye problem or to determine the extent or severity of an eye disorder. Each eye is tested separately. In general, angiography involves injecting... read more (uses sound waves to take a picture of the inside of your eye, particularly your retina)
MRI Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) A variety of tests can be done to confirm an eye problem or to determine the extent or severity of an eye disorder. Each eye is tested separately. In general, angiography involves injecting... read more (magnetic resonance imaging) of your head to check the nerve from your eye and to see whether you had a stroke Stroke A stroke is a sudden brain problem that happens when a blood vessel in your brain either gets blocked or breaks open and bleeds. Part of your brain stops getting blood. Brain tissue that doesn't... read more
Blood tests
How do doctors treat sudden vision loss?
Doctors will treat the problem that's causing your vision loss.
In some cases, treatment won't bring back your vision, but getting treatment quickly can help protect the vision in your other eye.
