Sudden Blurring of Vision

Is this central serous retinopathy?

Indications

• Usually affects young or middle-aged men.
• Relatively rapid onset of distortion and reduced vision in one eye.
• Vision is not excessively reduced – usually in the region of 6/12.

What do I find?

• Usually hard to see anything abnormal with the ophthalmoscope.

What do I do?

• Refer urgent/soon via letter for confirmation of the diagnosis.

Is this wet AMD?

Indications

• Usually older patient.
• May have long history of gradual mild blurring of vision (pre-existing dry AMD).
• Patients often say that straight lines do not appear straight (metamorphopsia). Ask the patient to look at a window frame or any form of grid and to describe what they see Peripheral vision is normal.

What do I find?

• Visual acuity is reduced.
• There may be haemorrhage at the macula. If you are skilled at fundoscopy you may see a greyish/green lesion below the retina.

What do I do?

• Such patients may be eligible for photodynamic laser therapy to minimise the degree of visual loss. These patients should be referred immediately via letter to the closest PDT service for assessment. [As above.]