title: Sudden loss of vision.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sudden loss of vision is an ophthalmological emergency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article explains how history and examination, particularly ophthalmoscopy, will greatly assist the general practitioner to diagnose the cause.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vision loss may be transient or prolonged. It is important to consider whether the eye is painful or comfortable, inflamed or not. An accurate diagnosis will direct the emergency management, which frequently determines the prognosis for vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Sydney, New South Wales.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McClellan
mesh_terms: D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy