Whenever there is a disruption in the pathway between the eyes and the brain, an individual might experience sudden vision loss. If someone in your family suddenly experiences vision loss, you'll want to take them to a healthcare treatment center as soon as possible.
How Your Eyes See
Light enters the eye through the pupil. The light is then converted into electrical signals with cells that are located in the back of the eye. The electrical signals travel to the brain through the optic nerves. Anything that causes a disruption in this process will lead to vision loss.
What to Expect From Sudden Vision Loss
When someone experiences sudden vision loss, they will lose their vision within the span of a few days. In some cases, the patient might lose his or her vision in the span of seconds. In some cases, sudden vision loss can be painless. In some cases, the vision might become so blurry that its impossible to see anything. In other cases, vision might be completely absent or vision might be disrupted by bright lights.
Causes of Sudden Vision Loss
When your loved one has experienced vision loss, you'll want to take him or her to a healthcare treatment center as soon as possible. Your loved one may have experienced eye trauma without realizing it. Other common reasons for vision loss include the following:
- Inflammation of blood vessels
- Blockage of blood flow to the retina
- Retinal detachment (the pulling of the retina to the back of the eye)
- Blood flow blockage to the occipital lobe of the brain
The last on the list occurs with a stroke, so it's important to receive treatment right away. There are also less common causes of sudden vision loss, such as a transient ischemic attack, acute glaucoma, an infection in the retina, or bleeding in the retina.
Treatment for Sudden Vision Loss
Sudden vision loss is considered a medical emergency. A patient who is experiencing it will need to undergo brain imaging and a blood test. The tests are performed to find specific problems with the patient's eyes and to also determine if there is another medical condition that may be leading to vision loss.
A patient will need to have the underlying cause of your vision loss treated at the healthcare center. The patient will likely need medication and may require surgery. If the patient receives treatment for the condition quickly, he or she may have the vision loss partially or fully reversed.
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