Acute Visual Loss 5 Cédric Lamirel , Nancy J. Newman , and Valérie Biousse Abstract Visual loss is a common symptom in neurologic emergencies. Although ocular causes of visual loss are usually identifi ed by eye care specialists, many patients appear in an emergency department or a neurologist’s offi ce when the ocular examination is normal or when it suggests a neurologic disorder. Indeed, many causes of monocular or binocular acute visual loss may reveal or precede a neurologic process. In this situation, a quick and simple clinical examination done at bedside in the emergency department allows the neurologist to localize the lesion and determine whether an urgent neurologic workup or further ophthalmologic consultation is necessary. Keywords Central retinal artery occlusion • Funduscopic examination • Optic neuropathy • Retinal emboli • Visual fi eld • Visual loss Acute vision changes typically precipitate emer- gency consultation. Although ocular causes are usually identifi ed by eye care specialists, many patients appear in an emergency department or a C. Lamirel , MD neurologist’s offi ce when the ocular examination Service d’ophtalmologie , Fondation Ophtalmologique is normal or when it suggests a neurologic disor- Adolphe Rothschild , Paris , France der. Indeed, many causes of monocular or binoc- e-mail:
[email protected] ular acute visual loss may reveal or precede a N. J. Newman , MD • V. Biousse, MD () neurologic process. In this situation, a quick and Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit , simple clinical examination done at bedside in Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , GA , USA the emergency department allows the neurologist e-mail:
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