Which condition can lead to "painful" acute loss of vision?

The condition that leads to a "painful" acute loss of vision is central retinal artery occlusion. This occurs when the central retinal artery, which supplies blood to the retina, becomes obstructed. The sudden loss of blood flow can result in ischemia of the retinal tissue, leading to significant visual impairment. Patients may experience a sudden, painless loss of vision; however, if there is an associated condition such as retinal detachment or inflammation, it may result in painful vision loss. The acute nature of this obstruction typically results in recognizable and dramatic changes in vision.

Understanding the nature of central retinal artery occlusion is crucial. It is characterized by a sudden onset of visual symptoms, often described as a "curtain" coming down over the visual field or complete vision loss in severe cases. Immediate medical attention is often required to minimize the risk of permanent vision loss.

Other conditions such as cytomegalovirus can cause vision loss but usually present with gradual changes and are not characterized by acute pain. Sarcoidosis primarily affects the lungs and can cause eye inflammation, but such cases typically lead to a painful and gradual loss of vision rather than an acute and painful onset. Hysteria or psychogenic causes can result in transient visual disturbances but are quite