What term describes a sudden, painless loss of vision?

The term that describes a sudden, painless loss of vision is an ocular emergency. This category includes conditions that require immediate medical attention due to their potential to cause permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Various ocular emergencies can lead to sudden vision loss, such as retinal detachment, central retinal artery occlusion, or vitreous hemorrhage. Recognizing a sudden loss of vision as an emergency is crucial for timely intervention and successful treatment outcomes.

In contrast, routine check-ups typically involve regular assessments of eye health to catch potential issues early but do not apply to acute situations. Vision impairment is a broad term that encompasses various states of reduced visual ability and does not specify the suddenness or painlessness of the loss. Gradual sight loss refers to a slow deterioration of vision over time, which is fundamentally different from the abrupt nature of an ocular emergency.