Blood vessel blockage in the eye

Thrombosis in the eye may refer to blockage of a retinal artery or vein. An arterial blockage often causes sudden painless loss of vision and is considered an eye stroke with an immediate risk of a brain stroke. A vein blockage also requires prompt ophthalmic assessment.

• Sudden painless loss or marked reduction of vision in one eye with an arterial blockage.
• A temporary black curtain or complete loss of vision that returns minutes later.
• Do not wait for sudden vision loss to improve and do not drive yourself; note the exact time you last saw normally.
• Do not press or massage the eye, or use aspirin or eye drops to try to dissolve the clot yourself.
• Have any sudden new loss of vision assessed immediately, even if temporary and painless.
• For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.