Transient vision loss is temporary vision loss lasting from seconds to less than 24 hours that can affect one or both eyes. It can indicate vascular health conditions, including an impending stroke.
Transient vision loss (TVL) can occur in one or both eyes due to problems with your eyes, brain, or the structures that relay information between them.
TVL can be a medical emergency
TVL can indicate a life threatening condition, such as a stroke. It’s important to get prompt medical attention if you experience TVL, regardless of duration, to prevent complications and rule out serious health conditions that may be causing it.
If you may be having a stroke, contact 911 or your local emergency services as soon as possible.
Symptoms of a stroke can include:
- facial drooping
- slurred speech
- weakness on one side of the body
- paralysis
- trouble understanding speech
- confusion
It’s essential to get prompt medical attention any time you or somebody you’re with notices sudden vision loss, since it can be a symptom of a life threatening condition like an impending stroke. Although some causes, like migraine, usually don’t lead to serious complications, medical evaluation is still necessary to rule out more serious conditions.
This article will examine the potential causes of TVL, how it’s treated depending on the cause, and steps you can take to prevent it.
Amaurosis fugax is sudden vision loss in one eye due to loss of blood supply to your retina, while TVL is a more general term that refers to any temporary loss of vision. Although there’s a slight difference in their definitions, the term “amaurosis fugax” is often used
Amaurosis fugax can be an indicator of an imminent stroke. It’s usually caused by a blockage in the internal carotid artery, which supplies your brain. Amaurosis fugax vision loss usually affects one eye and resolves within minutes to an hour.
If you experience TVL, such as amaurosis fugax, it’s best to get prompt emergency medical attention to prevent or treat a stroke. Early treatment can improve stroke outcomes.
TVL can develop from disruptions anywhere along your
- eye and retina
- optic nerve
- optic chiasm and tracts
- part of your brain called your lateral geniculate nucleus
- part of your brain called your visual cortex
Migraine commonly
Cardiovascular causes of TVL can disrupt blood flow.
The most common cause of TVL associated with blood flow disruption is an embolism in the internal carotid artery in your neck. An embolism occurs when a clot blocks blood flow.
Other
| Causes | Types |
|---|---|
| Eye causes | • Elevated eye pressure: Conditions like acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to high pressure in your eye and vision loss. • Certain activities: Certain activities, like weightlifting with the Valsalva maneuver, can decrease blood supply to your retina. • Ocular surface issues: Eye issues affecting the surface of your eyes, such as dry eye syndrome, may cause it. |
| Vascular causes | • Transient ischemic attack (TIA): A TIA is also called a mini-stroke. • Giant cell arteritis: Giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory disease of the blood vessels that causes loss of blood supply to your optic nerve. |
| Neurological causes | • Migraine aura: Migraine aura often causes TVL and other symptoms like flashing lights or zigzags. • Seizures: Seizures are bursts of electrical information in your brain. • Brain tumor: Tumors may press on your visual structures and cause vision loss. |
| Mechanical causes | • Elevated eye pressure: Conditions like acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to high pressure in your eye and vision loss. • Certain activities: Certain activities, like weightlifting with the Valsalva maneuver, can decrease blood supply to your retina. |
| Other causes | • low blood pressure • cardiac arrhythmias • anemia • some diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure • some medications |
TVL can cause visual acuity loss in one or both eyes. Some people describe it like a shutter coming down over their eyes.
You might have other associated symptoms depending on the underlying cause. Some of the symptoms you might experience include:
Vision loss in one eye often suggests a problem with eye structures, such as your retina or optic nerve. Vision loss on both sides
If you have vision loss due to migraine, it typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes and affects both eyes.
Amaurosis fugax typically lasts for seconds.
TVL can be an indicator of some life threatening conditions like stroke. Many conditions that cause it can also cause complications like permanent disability or permanent vision loss.
Sudden vision loss without a known cause is a medical emergency.
Medical emergencyIt’s important to get immediate medical attention if you have sudden vision loss without a known cause. People with some conditions like loss of blood supply to their retina have a high risk of having a stroke, especially within 48 hours. Visit an urgent care clinic or emergency room as soon as possible.
TVL isn’t a medical diagnosis but a symptom of other medical conditions. When looking for the underlying cause, a doctor will consider factors like:
- the duration and timing of your symptoms
- whether you have other symptoms like headache or eye pain
- your medical history, including cardiovascular disease risk factors
- your family medical history
- your current medications
They might perform a physical exam that includes:
- comprehensive eye exam
- neurological examination
- cardiovascular examination
Other tests you might receive include:
- brain MRI
- optical coherence imaging (OCT)
- blood vessel imaging of the head and neck
- blood tests
- heart rhythm monitoring (electrocardiogram)
- echocardiogram
The best treatment for TVL depends on the underlying cause.
| Condition | Treatment |
|---|---|
| TIA or retinal artery occlusion | antiplatelet medications like aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix, others) |
| atrial fibrillation or a blood clot in your heart arteries | anticoagulation medications like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) or dabigatran (Pradaxa) |
| high blood pressure, stroke, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis | lipid-lowering medications |
| conditions like giant cell arteritis | anti-inflammatory medications |
| blockage in your carotid artery | surgeries like carotid endarterectomy |
You may be able to prevent some causes of TVL. For example, you can take steps to
- maintaining a moderate weight
- exercising regularly, or getting 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week
- avoiding or quitting smoking if you smoke (this can be difficult, but a doctor can build a cessation plan that works for you)
- reducing alcohol consumption, if you drink alcohol
- managing underlying medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes
- having your cholesterol checked
TVL is temporary vision loss that lasts less than 24 hours. It has many potential causes, such as a loss of blood supply to your retina or migraine.
It’s important to get medical attention right away if you notice sudden changes to your vision. Some people who develop sudden vision loss, such as those with a blockage in their carotid artery, are at an immediate risk of developing a potentially life threatening stroke.