Sudden loss of vision is an emergency. Seek urgent eye care for new loss or dimming of vision, faded colors, severe eye pain, or painful exposure when your eye cannot close.

What to do now

Contact your eye specialist’s urgent service immediately. If you cannot reach urgent eye care, go to an emergency department. Call your local emergency number for sudden vision loss or serious neurological symptoms. Do not drive if your vision is affected.

What about double vision?

New or worsening double vision needs prompt clinical advice. Sudden double vision together with weakness, difficulty speaking, severe headache, or other neurological symptoms is an emergency.

Why symptoms matter

TED can occasionally damage the optic nerve or the surface of the eye. Other conditions can also cause these symptoms. Only an examination can establish the cause and urgency.

What to tell the urgent service

What changed and the time it started.
Whether one eye or both are affected.
Whether vision, color perception, pain, or lid closure changed.
Any TED diagnosis, current treatment, and recent procedures.

This list is not exhaustive. If you think something is seriously wrong, seek care even if your symptom is not listed.

Sources & further reading

Sources checked October 22, 2026. This is an original educational summary. Links do not imply endorsement or affiliation.

Reviewed by Dr. Irina Belinsky, MD.

Clinical review completed October 22, 2026. Dr. Belinsky specializes in oculoplastic surgery. Read our editorial approach.

Your next step

Bring your questions and a symptom timeline to an eye professional.

Create a visit plan

TED warning signs: when to seek urgent care