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Warning-sign checks

Optic nerve atrophy: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency medical care for:

    • Sudden loss or major dimming of vision in one or both eyes
    • Vision loss with facial weakness, speech difficulty, severe imbalance, or one-sided weakness
    • New vision loss after a significant head or eye injury
    • Suspected methanol or other toxic chemical exposure

    These symptoms can reflect a new injury to the optic nerve, retina, brain, or blood supply.

    They should not be assumed to come from established optic nerve atrophy.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange urgent, same-day assessment for rapidly worsening vision, a new visual-field defect, or vision loss with significant eye pain.

    New vision problems with headache, scalp tenderness, or pain in the jaw while chewing also need prompt assessment, particularly in someone over 50.

    Contact your eye-care service sooner if colours become duller, vision becomes dimmer, or a new blurred or missing area appears.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is appropriate when your vision is stable and you have no new symptoms.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Optic nerve atrophy. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.