Transient Smartphone Blindness: a differential diagnosis for acute monocular vision loss: a Case Report

Background: Transient Smartphone Blindness (TSB) is a recently described phenomenon characterized by brief, monocular vision loss following unilateral smartphone use in a dark environment. It often mimics serious neurological and vascular emergencies, leading to extensive diagnostic investigations. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old female presented after two episodes of transient monocular vision loss and blurred vision in her right eye. The episodes occurred while she was lying on her side in bed, viewing her smartphone with one eye while the other was obscured. Initial neurological workup, including MRI, CT, and vascular imaging, was negative. She was initially prescribed aspirin for suspected amaurosis fugax. Subsequent ophthalmological evaluation and a detailed history confirmed a diagnosis of TSB. All clinical examinations, including OCT and visual field testing, were normal. Conclusions: TSB is a benign condition caused by asymmetric retinal light adaptation. This case highlights the importance of taking a detailed (postural) history in patients with transient monocular vision loss to avoid misdiagnosis.