Differential Diagnosis for Vails or Curtains in Vision
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Migraine with aura: This condition is characterized by visual disturbances, including seeing vails or curtains, which are often followed by a headache. The visual symptoms can be unilateral or bilateral and typically last for a few minutes to an hour.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Ocular migraine: Similar to migraine with aura, but without the headache. The visual symptoms can be similar, including seeing vails or curtains.
- Retinal detachment: A condition where the retina separates from the back of the eye, causing visual disturbances, including seeing flashes of light or a curtain of darkness descending over the field of vision.
- Vitreous detachment: A condition where the vitreous gel in the eye separates from the retina, causing visual disturbances, including seeing floaters or a curtain of spots.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): A sudden loss of vision in one eye or a visual field defect can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent damage.
- Optic neuritis: Inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause visual disturbances, including seeing a curtain or blind spot. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss.
- Rare diagnoses
- Charles Bonnet syndrome: A condition where people with vision loss experience complex visual hallucinations, including seeing vails or curtains.
- Occipital lobe seizures: Seizures that affect the occipital lobe, which can cause visual disturbances, including seeing patterns or shapes, such as vails or curtains.
- Migrainous infarction: A rare condition where a migraine aura is followed by a stroke, which can cause permanent vision loss.