VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron SUDDEN VISION LOSS Loss of eyesight over a short period of time-from a few seconds to a few days-is called sudden vision loss, which is considered an emergency. Partial or total vision loss, blurry or cloudy vision, and flashing lights and floaters are all considered sudden vision loss if they appear over a few days or less. The condition is often painless but may involve eye pain and headaches. The most common causes include eye trauma, a blood flow blockage to or from the retina, and retinal detachment (when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye). Other causes include inflammation of the optic nerve and a sudden blood flow blockage to the brain, such as during a stroke. If you suddenly lose your vision, you need to get immediate medical help. This is true if you lose vision in part of your field of vision, in one eye or both eyes. And you need to get help whether you have pain in your eye or not. It can be scary, but the situation can often improve as long as you get medical attention quickly. If it's been a while since you've had your eyes checked, please call SKOWRON EYE CARE to schedule an eye exam. At Skowron Eye Care, our mission is your vision. P.S. Any sudden change in vision is potentially dangerous and should be evaluated immediately, even if the vision loss resolves on its own. SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron SUDDEN VISION LOSS Loss of eyesight over a short period of time - from a few seconds to a few days - is called sudden vision loss , which is considered an emergency . Partial or total vision loss , blurry or cloudy vision , and flashing lights and floaters are all considered sudden vision loss if they appear over a few days or less . The condition is often painless but may involve eye pain and headaches . The most common causes include eye trauma , a blood flow blockage to or from the retina , and retinal detachment ( when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye ) . Other causes include inflammation of the optic nerve and a sudden blood flow blockage to the brain , such as during a stroke . If you suddenly lose your vision , you need to get immediate medical help . This is true if you lose vision in part of your field of vision , in one eye or both eyes . And you need to get help whether you have pain in your eye or not . It can be scary , but the situation can often improve as long as you get medical attention quickly . If it's been a while since you've had your eyes checked , please call SKOWRON EYE CARE to schedule an eye exam . At Skowron Eye Care , our mission is your vision . P.S. Any sudden change in vision is potentially dangerous and should be evaluated immediately , even if the vision loss resolves on its own . SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York , Elmhurst , IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com