Wikipedia:VideoWiki/Acute vision loss

Introduction
Acute visual loss is a rapid loss of the ability to see. Common causes include retinal detachment, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and giant cell arteritis.

Retinal detachment
Retinal detachment should be considered if there were preceding flashes or floaters, or if there is a new visual field defect in one eye. If treated early enough, retinal tear and detachment can have a good outcome.

Glaucoma
Angle-closure glaucoma should be considered if there is a painful loss of vision with a red eye, nausea or vomiting. The eye pressure will be very high typically greater than 40 mmHg. Emergent laser treatment to the iris may prevent blindness.

Macular degeneration 1
Wet macular degeneration should be considered in older people with new distortion of their vision with bleeding in the macula.

Macular degeneration 2
Vision can often be regained with prompt eye injections with anti-VEGF agents.

Giant cell arteritis
Giant cell arteritis should be considered in an older person with jaw claudication, temporal pain, and feeling tired. Placing the person on steroids might save both their vision and decrease their risk of stroke. Without treatment a person can quickly go blind in both eyes.