Acute vision loss (noninflamed)

Background

Eye anatomy.

• This page describes a general approach to the complaint of acute vision loss.

Clinical Features

Retinal Images

• 

  Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO)

• 

  Retinal detachment

• 

  CMV retinitis

• 

  Open-angle glaucoma (cupping)

• 

  Roth spots due to retinal vein occlusion (retinal hemorrhage)

• 

  Central retinal artery occlusion: cherry-red spot, retinal edema and narrowing of the vessels.

Differential Diagnosis

Acute Vision Loss (Noninflamed)

• Painful
  • Arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
  • Optic neuritis
  • Temporal arteritis^†
• Painless
  • Amaurosis fugax
  • Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)^†
  • Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO)^†
  • High altitude retinopathy
  • Open-angle glaucoma
  • Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
  • Retinal detachment^†
  • Stroke^†
  • Vitreous hemorrhage
  • Traumatic optic neuropathy (although may have pain from the trauma)

^†Emergent Diagnosis

See Also

Eye Algorithms

• Red eye
  • Bilateral red eyes
  • Unilateral red eye
  • Red eye (by symptoms)
  • Red eye (peds)
    • Neonatal conjunctivitis
• Periorbital swelling
• Acute vision loss (noninflamed)
• Acute onset flashers and floaters
• Painful eyes with normal exam
• Neonatal eye problems