HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Temporary Loss Of Night Vision In One Eye?

default
Posted on Mon, 30 Jun 2014
Question: I had temporary loss of night vision in one eye (about 5 seconds total loss and about 20 minutes partial loss). I checked my vision multiple times by turning a light on and off during the 20 minutes. With the light on vision was normal, with the light off the one eye was much dimmer than the other. After about twenty minutes my vision returned to normal and there has been no recurrence in the past month.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Transient ischaemic attack and requires evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to Health care magic.

I am Dr Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye.

It seems from the history that you had an episode of transient loss of vision lasting for few seconds, which recovered over few minutes.
This indicates an attack of transient ischaemic attack called as amaurosis fugax. Since you are aged 67 years this needs to be evaluated. The common causes to be considered are prodromal symptoms of arterial occlusions affecting retinal blood vessels, vascular occlusive diseases affecting the blood vessels like atherosclerosis of carotid arteries.....

Because of the symptoms resembling a typical attack of amaurosis fugax and age being more than 60 years, I advice you to go for an evaluation to rule out any of these underlying diseases and treatment accordingly to prevent loss of vision.

The other common benign causes leading to this problem are hypotension, hyoovolemia, an attack of dizziness.... All these causes are benign and will not cause any further problems.

Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
With regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (40 hours later)
Additional information:
Three years ago I experienced sudden loss of peripheral vision in both eyes due to a hemorrhagic stroke in the occipital region of my brain. An MRI showed the probable cause was amyloid angiopathy. Nearly all of my vision returned within 6 months.
Last year I had 2 cataract surgeries. Both were initially successful, but I later developed a problem with in one eye and had successful surgery to remove a membrane from the retina in February 2014. The temporary vision loss I first described was in the eye that did not have retinal surgery.
I recently had difficulty maintaining blood potassium levels with my lowest reading being at 3.1 (below the low range limit of 3.5). It is possible my levels were low at the time I had the temporary vision loss. My potassium supplement had been since increased and my last blood test one week ago indicated a level of 3.7.
I had ultrasounds performed on the Carotid arteries and my heart following the temporary vision loss. Those tests were normal with no problems identified.
I also had these same ultrasounds performed following my stroke three years ago with normal results.
Currently I take on a daily basis, 25mg Hydrochlorothiazide, 180mg Diltiazem ERC, 100mg Losartan, and 40MEQ Potassium CL.
Would you recommend any additional testing? Perhaps a MRI to determine if additional damage from hemorrhagic stroke (amyloid angiopathy) has occurred?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Neurologcial evaluation is required.

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir,
Thank you for the follow up question.

I reviewed the history and the additional information provided by you.
The history and the investigations suggest and confirm the diagnosis of transient ischemic attack. You have undergone ultrasound on the carotid arteries and heart and which were normal.
Since you have history of stroke in the past neurological evaluation is required by investigations like cerebral angiography or MRI of brain.
From the past history I would suggest you to go for a neurological examination and MRI of brain to rule out the risk of stroke.

Hope the information is helpful to you.

Thank you
with regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dadapeer K (1 hour later)
Thank you for your help.,
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dadapeer K (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thank you

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to Health care magic.

Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dadapeer K

Ophthalmologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 5709 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Temporary Loss Of Night Vision In One Eye?

Brief Answer: Transient ischaemic attack and requires evaluation Detailed Answer: Hello Welcome to Health care magic. I am Dr Dadapeer K, an ophthalmologist and I answer health problems related to eye. It seems from the history that you had an episode of transient loss of vision lasting for few seconds, which recovered over few minutes. This indicates an attack of transient ischaemic attack called as amaurosis fugax. Since you are aged 67 years this needs to be evaluated. The common causes to be considered are prodromal symptoms of arterial occlusions affecting retinal blood vessels, vascular occlusive diseases affecting the blood vessels like atherosclerosis of carotid arteries..... Because of the symptoms resembling a typical attack of amaurosis fugax and age being more than 60 years, I advice you to go for an evaluation to rule out any of these underlying diseases and treatment accordingly to prevent loss of vision. The other common benign causes leading to this problem are hypotension, hyoovolemia, an attack of dizziness.... All these causes are benign and will not cause any further problems. Hope I have answered your question and the information is helpful to you. Thank you With regards