RT Book, Section A1 Kasper, Dennis L. A1 Fauci, Anthony S. A1 Hauser, Stephen L. A1 Longo, Dan L. A1 Jameson, J. Larry A1 Loscalzo, Joseph SR Print(0) ID 1128782897 T1 Acute Visual Loss and Double Vision T2 Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 19e YR 2016 FD 2016 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071828529 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1128782897 RD 2024/03/28 AB APPROACH TO THE PATIENT: Acute Visual Loss or Double VisionAccurate measurement of visual acuity in each eye (with glasses or contact lenses) is of primary importance. Additional assessments include testing of pupils, eye movements, ocular alignment, and visual fields. Slit-lamp examination can exclude corneal infection, trauma, glaucoma, uveitis, and cataract. Ophthalmoscopic examination to inspect the optic disc and retina often requires pupillary dilation using 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine; risk of provoking an attack of narrow-angle glaucoma is remote.Visual field mapping by finger confrontation localizes lesions in the visual pathway (Fig. 52-1); formal testing using a perimeter may be necessary. The goal is to determine whether the lesion is anterior to, at, or posterior to the optic chiasm. A scotoma confined to one eye is caused by an anterior lesion affecting the optic nerve or globe; swinging flashlight test may reveal an afferent pupil defect. History and ocular examination are usually sufficient for diagnosis. If a bitemporal hemianopia is present, lesion is located at optic chiasm (e.g., pituitary adenoma, meningioma). Homonymous visual field loss signals a retrochiasmal lesion affecting the optic tract, lateral geniculate body, optic radiations, or visual cortex (e.g., stroke, tumor, abscess). Neuroimaging is recommended for any pt with a bitemporal or homonymous hemianopia.