Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA)

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

A possible cause of temporary vision loss is a serious condition called a transient ischemic attack, more commonly known as a TIA or a “mini-stroke.” A TIA is a warning sign that a stroke may occur. It is caused by a reduction in blood flow to the brain for a short period of time due to a small blood clot.

A TIA may only last a matter of minutes, but it should not be ignored. An estimated 5% of people who experience a TIA are at risk of having a stroke within three months.¹

See a physician immediately if you think that you are having a transient ischemic attack.

What are the risk factors for TIA?

Risk factors of transient ischemic attacks include:

• diabetes,
• high blood pressure,
• high cholesterol,
• heart disease,
• smoking,
• excessive alcohol use,
• family history of a TIA or stroke, and
• older age.

What are the symptoms of TIA?

Symptoms of a TIA may include one or more of the following:

• painless loss of vision in one or both eyes,
• weakness and tingling on one side of the body,
• difficulty speaking, or
• vertigo (dizziness).

When the blood flow returns, usually in minutes, the symptoms go away. Rarely does a TIA last for more than 24 hours.

What are the treatments for TIA?

Patients suffering from a TIA need to see a physician as soon as possible. The physician may order a list of tests, including blood pressure, a complete blood workup, a CT scan, an MRI, a Doppler ultrasound, or an echocardiogram. Common treatments to prevent a stroke after a TIA include medication, surgery, or angioplasty.

If you have a loss of vision, an examination by your optometrist is important to rule out any other possible causes of vision loss.

References

1. Shahjouei, S., Sadighi, A., Chaudhary, D., Li, J., Abedi, V., Holland, N., ... & Zand, R. (2021). A 5-decade analysis of incidence trends of ischemic stroke after transient ischemic attack: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology, 78,(1), 77-87. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2771410