Temporary vision loss
Vision returns within 24 hours at the latest. It usually resolves within the first hour.
At the level of seconds > >papilledema
A few minutes >> amaurosis fugax (carotid stenosis)
10-60 minutes > > migraine
Sudden Painless Vision Loss
Central retinal artery occlusion
Central retinal vein occlusion
Intense vitreous hemorrhages
Retinal detachment
Cerebrovascular event
Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy
Giant cell arteritis (arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy)
Toxic amblyopia (methyl alcohol, quinine, lead)
Sudden Painful Vision Loss
Angle-closure glaucoma
Anterior uveitis
Keratitis
Optic neuritis (papillitis, retrobulbar neuritis)
Slowly Developing Vision Loss
Refractive errors: Myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism
Corneal changes: Keratitis (corneal ulcers, leukoma formation),
Drug intoxications (Chloroquine, Amiodarone, Indomethacin), Corneal degenerations
Lens changes: Cataract development
Glaucoma: In primary open-angle (chronic) glaucoma, vision loss occurs over the years.
Uveitis
Tumors (primary or metastatic)
Retinal involvement: Vascular diseases, (diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy) retinal degenerations (senile macular degeneration)
Optic nerve changes
Bilateral Sudden Vision Loss
Optic neuritis
Toxic amblyopia: Especially methyl alcohol intoxication
Head trauma
Uremic amaurosis
Hysteria
Simulation
Malignant
Ophthalmic migraine: It starts unilaterally first, followed by bilateral pain and flashes of light, as well as decreased vision. A history of recurrent seizures is helpful in diagnosis.