Sudden Loss Of Vision Specialist

Why is sudden vision loss a serious problem?

Sudden vision loss is when you partially or completely lose sight within a few minutes or days. You may lose vision in one or both eyes, and it can affect certain parts or all of your vision. Any change in your vision can have life-altering consequences and affect the quality of your life.

Some common reasons for partial or complete vision loss are:

• Retinal detachment
• Retinal vein occlusion
• Eye injury
• Macular degeneration

Patients with a history of chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and those who smoke are more likely to develop sudden blindness. 

These conditions affect blood flow to your retina, and the lack of oxygen causes damage to important retinal tissues. Damaged blood vessels can also cause blood clots that can also decrease your vision. 

How do you diagnose my sudden loss of vision?

To diagnose why you have vision loss, your ophthalmologist physically examines your eye(s) and asks questions about symptoms relating to your blindness. 

They also inquire about symptoms that may not seem directly related to your vision loss but are risk factors that increase your chances of developing it. 

Your specialist may ask questions about when you started to notice your decreasing vision, whether it’s getting worse, if it affects one or both of your eyes, and whether the loss affects parts or your entire field of vision. 

They also ask if you’re experiencing specific symptoms, like:

• Increased floaters
• Flashing lights
• Distorted color
• Eye pain

Using your medical history and a comprehensive eye exam that may include dilation, your specialist determines the cause of your loss of vision and prescribes an appropriate treatment.

How do you treat sudden vision loss?

If your loss of vision is due to damage from an injury, retinal detachment, or age-related macular degeneration, your ophthalmologist at Retina Specialists may suggest surgery, like vitrectomy or scleral buckling, or intraocular injections to correct these issues.

If your loss of vision is because of blocked blood vessels, your treatment focuses on removing those clots and treating the underlying cause which may be diabetes, high blood pressure, or other conditions that affect blood supply to your eyes. Treatments for these conditions may include medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes.

The team at Retina Specialists get to the root cause of your sudden vision loss and provide treatments that may quickly and efficiently restore, or preserve your sight.

If you’re noticing signs of vision loss, contact the team at Retinal Specialists right away. Call the office nearest you or use the online scheduling tool to book your appointment today.