A red or painful eye is a common presentation in the emergency department, and the rapid identification and management of potentially sight-threatening causes is critical.
Glaucoma
Non-Traumatic Monocular Vision Loss
There are multitude of causes of vision loss. This post focuses on the following pathologies:
- Glaucoma – A group of diseases that have increased intraocular pressure (IOP), causing damage the optic nerve leading to decreased vision
- Giant Cell Arteritis
- Vitreous Detachment – Separation between the posterior vitreous cortex and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) of the retina (which is the most external portion of the retina).
- Retinal Detachment
- Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
- Amaurosis Fugax – Sudden and transient visual loss or transient blurring or obscuration of vision, with a normal recovery of vision after the episode.
