Could eye exam cause vision loss in one eye?

[may_24]

Four days after having complete eye exam awakened partially blind in right eye. Returned to Doctor and was informed   that cause was possible giant cell arteritis Biopsy of temporal artery proved negative. After several scans of heart, arteries and brain cause was still suspect. Conclusion was possible plaque had floated to eve and damaged nerve. I have normal BP and Sed. rate not overweight and otherwise in good health. Had cataract surgery 2 years ago. Would like to know if exam could have caused issue as physician has had 4 other patients with same problem within few weeks after my issue and total of 10 patients in last 6 months.

[JohnHaganMD]

No it shouldn't.  The only things that have definitely been related to eye exams and subsequent injury:  1. in very short eyes with very narrow anterior segements it is possible to cause an attack of angle closure glaucoma.  This problem does not occur in eyes that have had cataract surgery. The other is relatively minor and that is a flare up of dry eyes or an accidental corneal abrasion due to rubbing the eye or a very infrequent reaction to the drops.

The most common cause of your problem would be non-arteritic anterior ischemic arteritis. This is a very common problem and while it is more common in smokers, alcoholics, HBP, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity it can 'just happen" due to bad luck. I see someone with this every 2-3 months.

[may_24]

Thanks for response. My concern is same physician had 4 patients with issue in 2 week time frame of my injury. Also recently learned has 10 patients since April 2016 with same problem.

[JohnHaganMD]

Must be a busy ophthalmologist (who often see 30-50 patients/day or is a neuro-ophthalmologist who take care of these types of problems.