title: Sudden loss of vision--investigation and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sudden vision loss usually requires urgent ophthalmic assessment. Diagnosis and management requires the judicious use of a wide range of serological and imaging investigations to guide appropriate treatment and referral.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article follows on from the previous discussion of the role of history and examination to discuss the appropriate investigation and management of common causes of sudden visual loss.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The key historical and examination findings have now been extracted and synthesised and these inform the next step. The general practitioner must now decide upon the most appropriate and timely investigation pathway or the need for, and urgency of, referral.
authors.affiliation: South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goold
authors.forename: Shane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Durkin
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crompton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010211:Papilledema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*