- 02 Apr 2009
Description and Possible Medical Problems
If you suddenly lose all or part of your ability to see on one side of your entire field of vision, and if your eyesight decreases markedly over the course of only a couple of hours, you must see your doctor immediately because this is a sign of a stroke.
A stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted, even for as little as a minute. A stroke can be due to several different types of blockage. In one type of stroke, called a cerebral thrombosis, the arteries that supply blood to the brain have become lined with plaque (this is known as arteriosclerosis). A blood clot may form where the plaque lines the artery and eventually block the flow of blood to the brain. In a cerebral embolism, a blood clot or a small piece of plaque or arterial wall from another part of the body breaks off and travels through the arteries until it lodges in an artery, creating a blockage. Another type of stroke is a cerebral hemorrhage, in which the affected artery starts to leak or ruptures and blood flows into the brain. The accumulation of blood can then create pressure on the parts of the brain in which it masses and clots, cutting off the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. If your loss of vision is accompanied by a severe headache, you have probably had a cerebral hemorrhage.
The loss of vision symptoms for all three types of stroke are similar, except that a cerebral hemorrhage usually causes more damage and is more often fatal than the other two are.
Stroke is most common in men and women over 60, but men are more prone to stroke and die more frequently from it. About one third of all strokes are fatal, while another third leave the person with permanent damage. Nevertheless, one third of all stroke victims suffer no permanent damage at all. If you fall into this last category, you may have had a transient ischemia attack, or TIA, which is a mild form of stroke in which the blockage and impaired vision last less than 24 hours. With a cerebral thrombosis or cerebral embolism, the symptoms tend to be permanent.
Treatment
If you have experienced a sudden loss of vision due to a stroke, your doctor will administer a series of tests in order to make a positive diagnosis. These may include an electrocardiogram, X rays, and possibly a CAT scan to determine which parts of the brain have been injured. To reduce the risk of a TIA or stroke recurring, your doctor will prescribe medication that will help control your high blood pressure, a daily dose of aspirin, which serves as an anticoagulant and discourages future clots from forming, and a low-salt and low-fat diet, which will also help lower your blood pressure.
Your vision will probably return to normal after a TIA; with a cerebral thrombosis or embolism, the damage may be permanent.
In some cases, surgery to remove arterial plaque may be necessary.
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- Tags: General health
- Category: General health