Sudden Blindness2022-03-07T10:37:31+00:00

Sudden blindness can be a symptom of a serious medical condition

If you experience sudden loss of sight, even if temporary, you need to contact us as quickly as possible

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Sudden blindness incidence / prevalence

Sudden loss of sight can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. If you experience sudden blindness, you need to seek medical attention as quickly as possible.

Sudden loss of vision can occur for a number of reasons. Many underlying problems are very serious, and could potentially be sight-threatening or even life-threatening. It’s therefore essential to seek medical help as soon as possible if you experience any sudden loss of sight.

A sudden loss of vision doesn’t necessarily mean total blindness. It can occur in one eye or both eyes, and the loss of sight can be partial or total.

With total vision loss, the sight in the affected eye (or eyes) is lost completely, so that nothing can be seen with the affected eye. With partial vision loss, some sight may remain in the affected eye.

Sudden vision loss can also include a sudden loss of peripheral vision, sudden loss of central vision, or even a sudden blurring of your vision. The sudden appearance of spots within your field of vision could also a symptom of a more serious condition.

Sudden blindness may only last a short time, such as a few seconds, minutes or hours. However, it could potentially be permanent, especially if not treated quickly.

Damage to the retina

The retina is the focusing surface at the back of your eye. Any damage to your retina, such as a detached retina or artery occlusion, is a possible cause of sudden blindness.

A detached retina can cause total loss of vision in the affected eye, or it may only result in partial vision loss, making it seem as if a curtain is blocking part of your vision.

The macula is the central focusing area of the retina at the back of your eye. When a macular problem occurs, it results in a loss of your central vision, while your peripheral or ‘side’ vision remains.

Vitreous haemorrhage

Some eye conditions can cause blood to leak into the vitreous ‘gel’ within the eye. This is known as a vitreous haemorrhage. If this occurs, it can block the light which enters the eye, causing sudden blurred vision if it is not as dense, or the sudden appearance of spots within your vision.

Serious medical conditions

There are some serious medical conditions that can cause sudden blindness, such as a stroke or brain tumour. While these causes are quite rare, it is nonetheless important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

If you experience sudden blindness or any sudden loss of vision, you need to see an eye specialist straight away. Treatment will depend on the cause, but in most cases the earlier you are treated, the better your chance of a good outcome.

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We understand that any issue with your eyes can be a weight on your shoulders. Book an appointment today, and we’ll help you get to the bottom of your issue and put your mind at ease.

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Additional resources on treating vision loss

Learn more about treating vision loss from authoritative sources

Every year in the UK, 3,000 people’s sight is damaged by a condition called giant cell arteritis. The symptoms can appear very suddenly and end in irreversible blindness. Dr Saleyha Ahsan met a group of people who’ve been affected and explains what to look out for.

Click here to read more.

Sudden blindness (total or near-total vision loss) in one eye is a medical emergency.

In many instances, you have a short window of time for diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent blindness. Temporary loss of vision may also be a warning sign of a serious problem, such as stroke.

Click here to read more about temporary blindness in one eye and how it’s treated.

Vitreous haemorrhage is bleeding into the jelly-like filling of the back part of your eye. This substance is the vitreous humour. It helps the eye keep its shape and is normally clear, allowing light from outside the eye to pass through it to reach the retina.

Click here to read more.

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive deterioration of the optic nerve. (The optic nerve is the bundle of nerve fibers at the back of the eye that carry visual messages from the retina to the brain). Glaucoma is usually caused by or worsened by pressure inside the eye ( intraocular pressure, or IOP) that is too high for the continued health of the nerve.

The only proven treatment for glaucoma involves lowering eye pressure in order to prevent or to slow down the damage to the optic nerve.

Click here to read more.

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