Temporary blindness in one eye is typically a sign of an underlying health condition, such as a blood clot or stroke, that requires immediate medical attention. High blood pressure or cholesterol may increase your risk.
Sudden blindness (total or near-total vision loss) in one eye is a medical emergency.
You have a short time frame for diagnosis and treatment to avoid permanent blindness. Temporary loss of vision may also be a warning sign of a serious problem, such as stroke.
If you experience sudden blindness in one eye, seek emergency medical assistance right away. In many cases, prompt diagnosis and treatment can prevent permanent blindness.
Temporary vision loss can occur in one eye or sometimes both eyes. It’s usually a symptom of an underlying condition that
The vision loss can last from seconds to minutes. Medical professionals refer to it as:
- amaurosis fugax
- temporary visual loss
- episodic blindness
- transient monocular visual loss
- transient monocular blindness
The most common cause of blindness in one eye is reduced blood flow.
The carotid arteries in your neck
Sometimes plaque (fatty deposits) builds up on the walls of these blood vessels, reducing the amount of blood passing through them. Small pieces of this plaque may also break off and block blood flow.
A blood clot, a gel-like clump of blood thickened from liquid to semi-solid, may also cause blockage.
If a blood clot blocks your retinal artery or one of its branches, it’s referred to as either a central retinal artery occlusion or a branch retinal artery occlusion.
Temporary vision loss (total or partial) may also be the result of:
- migraine
- sickle cell anemia
- acute angle-closure glaucoma (sudden rise in eye pressure)
- polyarteritis nodosa (blood vessel disease)
- optic neuritis (optic nerve inflammation)
- elevated plasma viscosity (leukemia, multiple myeloma)
- papilledema (brain pressure causes optic nerve swelling)
- head injury
- brain tumor
- vasospasm of the eye
Treating temporary vision loss in one eye starts with identifying the underlying medical condition.
If blood clots trigger the blind eye, healthcare professionals concerned about the possibility of a stroke may recommend:
- medications to thin your blood, such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin
- medications to lower your blood pressure, such as:
- beta-blockers
- angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- angiotensin-II receptor antagonists
- calcium channel blockers
- thiazides
- surgery, such as a carotid endarterectomy, to clear the plaque in your carotid arteries
A healthcare professional may also recommend lifestyle changes, including:
- reducing your intake of high fat and ultra-processed foods
- increasing your daily exercise
- reducing stress
The risk for temporary vision loss in one eye due to reduced blood flow is higher for people who
Advanced age may also increase your risk for temporary vision loss.
Temporary blindness in one eye is often the result of reduced blood flow from the heart to the eye. It’s typically a symptom of an underlying condition, such as a stroke or blood clot.
Some risk factors for developing temporary blindness include high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, among others.
A healthcare professional can identify the condition affecting your eye and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
Check out Healthline’s eye health resource center.