Eye stroke: this symptom can cause you to lose your sight in a few hours

A sudden loss of vision in one eye, even without pain, can indicate an eye stroke. This is a medical emergency that should never be ignored.

A sudden loss of vision in one eye, without any pain, may seem surprising. However, this symptom is far from harmless. Often overlooked, an eye stroke is a genuine medical emergency that can lead to irreversible vision loss if treatment is delayed. Here are the signs to recognize and the right steps to take.

A stroke can also affect the eye

An eye stroke, also called a retinal artery or vein occlusion, occurs when blood flow is suddenly interrupted in the vessels of the retina. This interruption is usually caused by a blood clot or a significant decrease in oxygen supply. As with a cerebral stroke, every minute counts, because the retina is particularly sensitive to oxygen deprivation.

There are several forms of eye stroke, the consequences of which vary depending on the vessel involved.

The most serious type is central retinal artery occlusion. Often compared to a heart attack, it occurs when the main artery supplying blood to the retina suddenly becomes blocked. The result is a sudden, painless, and almost total loss of vision in one eye. Vision becomes extremely blurry or disappears completely. Without rapid restoration of blood flow, the damage can become irreversible in just a few hours.

The most common form is central retinal vein occlusion. In this case, it is the drainage of blood that is disrupted. The decrease in vision can appear suddenly or more gradually. It is sometimes less severe than in the arterial form, but it remains serious. It can be accompanied by retinal hemorrhages and edema that can lead to lasting damage.

Finally, some occlusions only affect one arterial or venous branch. These cause the loss of part of the visual field, creating a blind spot called a scotoma.

An emergency that often reveals a vascular problem

Whatever form this sudden loss of vision takes, it should always be considered a medical emergency .

The causes are numerous, but they are most often linked to impaired blood vessel health. Among the main risk factors are atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, glaucoma, certain clotting disorders, and inflammatory diseases affecting the blood vessels. A clot originating from the heart or carotid arteries can also cause this blockage.

According to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, an eye stroke never occurs by chance. It can be the first sign of a more general cardiovascular problem. This is why a complete workup is usually performed to determine the cause of the occlusion, including an electrocardiogram, carotid ultrasound, and blood tests.

Treatments that depend on the form of the condition

In cases of central retinal artery occlusion, treatment options remain limited. No strategy has demonstrated clear efficacy when intervention occurs more than four to six hours after the onset of symptoms. Doctors may attempt to reduce pressure inside the eye or offer treatments designed to restore blood flow, but the visual prognosis often remains poor.

When the occlusion involves the central retinal vein, several treatments can limit complications. Intraocular injections of anti-VEGF can reduce retinal edema. Depending on the situation, laser treatment or corticosteroids may also be offered. Visual recovery is sometimes possible, although it is often incomplete.

There is only one thing to do: if you experience a sudden loss of vision in one eye, consult an ophthalmologist immediately or go to the emergency room. Prompt treatment can preserve your vision and allow for the detection of any potential cardiovascular problems.