Abstract

An acute onset of abnormal vision is distressing to the patient and a challenge to the emergency physician. The problem can result from any component in the visual process, from light transmission through the cornea to cortical perception and fixation. It is important for the emergency physician to rapidly determine the nature of the abnormality, localize the cause, administer interventions that are required emergently, and then to arrange either an immediate or deferred evaluation by the appropriate specialist, if needed. This issue of Emergency Medicine Practice concentrates on the symptom-based development of a differential diagnosis for an acute non-traumatic visual disturbance and the management of various etiologies prioritized by those that require time-critical interventions.

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