A sudden loss of vision associated with eye pain is most likely what?

A sudden loss of vision that is associated with eye pain is most likely indicative of optic neuritis. This condition specifically involves inflammation of the optic nerve, which can lead to a rapid decrease in visual acuity and is often accompanied by eye pain, particularly during eye movement. The pain is a key differentiating factor in this scenario, as it typically indicates involvement of the optic nerve.

Optic neuritis is frequently seen in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the protective sheath (myelin) covering the optic nerve. The combination of sudden vision loss and eye pain makes this diagnosis very plausible.

While other conditions like vitreous detachment, corneal ulcer, and retinal detachment can also cause vision changes, they do not typically present with the same combination of sudden loss of vision and significant pain. For example, vitreous detachment usually does not cause pain and is more associated with floaters or flashes of light. A corneal ulcer might cause severe pain and vision impairment but is typically accompanied by other symptoms such as redness and discharge. Retinal detachment can lead to vision loss as well but often occurs without significant pain, focusing instead on symptoms like flashes of light or a shadow in the visual field.

In summary, the