Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41782901›Full record

ReviewClinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)2026

A Five-Step Approach to Acute Vision Loss: A Practical Narrative Review for Clinicians.

Clare Maher, Brad Guo, John Yek

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Clare MaherOphthalmology Department, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, 2305, Australia.ORCID 0009-0005-1280-4502
Brad Guo *Department of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
John Yek *Ophthalmology Department, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Acute vision loss is a time-critical presentation that requires rapid evaluation to differentiate benign conditions from ophthalmic and neurologic emergencies. Early recognition and appropriate triage are essential to prevent irreversible visual impairment. In many cases, the initial evaluation is performed by non-ophthalmic clinicians, where diagnostic uncertainty can delay appropriate referral and management. Purpose: To present a practical, stepwise framework for the assessment of acute vision loss that supports rapid clinical localization, early identification of red-flag features, and timely escalation of care. Methods: A targeted review of recent literature was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE, focusing on major causes of acute vision loss, established clinical algorithms, and evidence-based emergency management strategies. Relevant guidelines and high-impact review articles published between 2015 and 2025 were included. Findings: A structured five-step approach-(1) determination of laterality, (2) assessment for pain, (3) targeted history-taking, (4) focused chairside examination with identification of red flags, and (5) action through timely escalation, investigation, and referral, enables clinicians to rapidly triage pathology, prioritise urgency and identify vision-threatening conditions. Presentations such as central retinal artery occlusion, acute angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment, optic neuritis, and giant cell arteritis require immediate recognition and specialist involvement. Fundamental chairside assessment remains central to early decision-making and safe triage. Conclusion: A five-step diagnostic framework provides a clear, clinically intuitive approach to acute vision loss that is applicable across emergency, primary care, and general ophthalmic settings. By prioritising early localization and risk stratification, this approach may reduce diagnostic delays and support safer triage of vision-threatening disease.

Indexed as

acute vision lossemergency ophthalmologytriage

Identifiers

PMID41782901
PMCPMC12953027

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.