Approach to the adult with acute persistent visual loss - UpToDate

INTRODUCTION Acute vision loss is a frightening experience for patients and has the potential for long-term consequences. The many causes of acute vision loss and the time-sensitive need for evaluation and treatment pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges [1]. A careful history is key to narrowing the differential diagnosis and will allow for a more focused yet systematic physical examination. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may influence the visual outcome. This topic will present an overview of the approach to patients with acute persistent visual loss. The differential diagnosis of the red eye and specific causes of acute vision loss are discussed separately. Transient visual loss, also known as amaurosis fugax, should be treated as a transient ischemic attack. Most transient ischemic attacks last less than one hour. (See "Amaurosis fugax (transient monocular or binocular visual loss)" and "The red eye: Evaluation and management".) DEFINITION OF TERMS Acute persistent visual loss

INTRODUCTION Acute vision loss is a frightening experience for patients and has the potential for long-term consequences. The many causes of acute vision loss and the time-sensitive need for evaluation and treatment pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges [1]. A careful history is key to narrowing the differential diagnosis and will allow for a more focused yet systematic physical examination. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may influence the visual outcome. This topic will present an overview of the approach to patients with acute persistent visual loss. The differential diagnosis of the re