An eye stroke is a sudden loss of vision caused by blocked blood flow to the retina or optic nerve.
What happens during an eye stroke
When a blood vessel becomes blocked, the affected tissue is starved of oxygen. This can lead to permanent sight loss if not treated quickly, similar to a stroke in the brain.
- Vision loss is usually painless and often affects one eye
- Symptoms may include a dark curtain, patch, or sudden blur
- Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking increase risk
- Sometimes the event occurs on waking in the morning
Immediate action is crucial
An eye stroke is a medical emergency that needs very rapid assessment. Fast treatment may protect some vision and also reduces the risk of a future brain stroke.
- Seek emergency hospital care immediately if vision suddenly fails
- Specialists may organise scans of the eyes, neck arteries, and heart
- Blood-thinning medicines and risk-factor control are often started
- Long-term follow-up focuses on protecting both sight and overall health
