Acute Visual Loss Flashcards
What is optic neuritis
Demyelination of optic nerve, often the first presentation of MS
Symptoms of optic neuritis
Headache, painful eye movements, flashes, visual loss in one eye over a few days
History of patient with optic neuritis
Previous episodes, symptoms of MS, young female, positive family history for MS
Examination of patient with optic neuritis
Reduced visual acuity, visual fields and colour vision, RAPD, swollen or blurred optic disc
Management of optic neuritis
Analgesia
What is vitreous haemorrhage
Bleed from retina into the vitreous
Symptoms of vitreous haemorrhage
Sudden loss of vision in one eye
History of patient with vitreous haemorrhage
Preceding flashes/floaters, CVD, head trauma
Examination of vitreous haemorrhage
Absent red reflex, unable to visualise fundus
Management of vitreous haemorrhage
Usually spontaneous reabsorbed but consider vitrectomy in large bleeds
What is anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy
Visual loss secondary to optic nerve ischaemia.
Two types of AION
Arteritic or non-arteritic (AAION or NA-AION)
What causes AAION
Ischaemia due to temporal arteritis -> medium vessel vasculitis affecting those >50 years
What causes NA-AION
Most likely to occur in patients with risk factors for CVD. More common and usually affects slightly younger people
Symptoms of NA-AION
Sudden onset painless blurred vision in one eye, usually the upper or lower visual field is affected
