DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Question 1

What is the differential diagnosis for sudden painless visual loss?

Answer 1

Ischaemic optic neuropathy (e.g. temporal arteritis or atherosclerosis)

Occlusion of central retinal vein

Occlusion of central retinal artery

Vitreous haemorrhage - diabetic retinopathy

Retinal detachment

Wet age related macular degeneration

Stroke

Question 2

What is the differential diagnosis for sudden painful visual loss?

Answer 2

Anterior segment inflammation - uveitis, scleritis, keratitis

Primary angle closure glaucoma

Optic neuritis

Giant cell arteritis

Migraine

Question 3

What is the differential diagnosis for gradual visual loss?

Answer 3

Refractive errors

Cataract

Posterior capsular opacification

Dry age related macular degeneration

Primary open angle glaucoma

Question 4

What is the differential diagnosis for relative afferent pupillary defect?

Answer 4

Optic neuritis

Ischemic optic disease or retinal disease

Severe glaucoma causing trauma to optic nerve

Direct optic nerve damage (trauma, radiation, tumor)

Retinal detachment

Very severe macular degeneration

Retinal infection (CMV, herpes)