Last Updated: April 5, 2024
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.
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