The Patient with Sudden Loss of Vision course for GPs

This session will provide users with core knowledge about the clinical features, differential diagnosis and management of a patient presenting with sudden loss of vision.

This session was reviewed by Khyati Bakhai and last updated in November 2021.

Learning objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• list the common causes of sudden visual loss and their diagnostic features
• recognise flashes and floaters and describe their causes
• explain the relevant investigations
• explain the urgency of referral for each condition and when to access emergency eye care services
• recognise field loss from neurological causes

Sudden loss of vision is a common symptom which can be transient or permanent, monocular or binocular. Most causes of sudden vision loss are vascular in origin affecting either the retina, optic nerve or brain and are usually painless.