Acute visual loss

DDx

Inflamed eye (red)

  • Acute glaucoma
  • Uveitis
  • Keratitis (corneal ulcer or inflammation), e.g., herpes simplex
  • Conjunctivitis (blurry)
Uninflamed eye
  • Retinal detachment
  • Central retinal vein occlusion
  • Central retinal artery occlusion
  • Vitreous hemorrhage
  • Macular degeneration (exudative)
  • Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, e.g., temporal (giant cell) arteritis
  • Optic neuritis, e.g., multiple sclerosis
  • Papilledema
  • Hyperglycemia (blurry; subacute)
  • Polycythemia vera (blurry; subacute)
  • Trauma
  • Conversion disorder
  • Episodic: amaurosis fugax (TIA), ophthalmic migraine
  • Diplopia

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Last updated: December 1, 2014