From the Research
Monocular vision loss is medically referred to as amaurosis, a condition that requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision loss and address potential underlying causes such as retinal artery occlusion, optic neuritis, or giant cell arteritis. This term specifically describes the loss of vision in one eye while vision in the other eye remains intact. When the vision loss occurs suddenly, it may be called acute monocular vision loss or amaurosis fugax if it's temporary. The condition can result from various underlying causes including retinal artery occlusion, optic neuritis, retinal detachment, or ischemic optic neuropathy, as discussed in 1.
Key Considerations
- Immediate medical attention is crucial when experiencing monocular vision loss as some causes represent true ocular emergencies that could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly.
- Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive eye examination, visual field testing, and possibly imaging studies to determine the underlying cause, as outlined in 2 and 3.
- Treatment depends entirely on the specific diagnosis, ranging from anti-inflammatory medications for optic neuritis to surgical intervention for retinal detachment, with the goal of preserving vision and preventing further complications, as noted in 4 and 1.
Underlying Causes and Treatment Approaches
- Retinal artery occlusion causes painless vision loss in patients with vascular risk factors, and interventions aim to prevent vision loss in the other eye, as discussed in 4 and 3.
- Giant cell arteritis should be suspected in patients older than 50 years with scalp tenderness, jaw claudication, proximal muscle and joint pain, constitutional symptoms, and elevated C-reactive protein level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and platelet count, requiring immediate initiation of empiric steroids to prevent vision loss in the unaffected eye, as outlined in 1.
- Optic neuritis is a demyelinating condition that features color desaturation, relative afferent pupillary defect, and pain with extraocular muscle movements, treated with high-dose steroids, and patients should be evaluated for multiple sclerosis, as noted in 1.
Given the potential for severe and permanent vision loss, it is essential to approach monocular vision loss with urgency and a thorough diagnostic workup to guide appropriate treatment, as emphasized in the most recent and highest quality study 1.