What term describes temporary monocular vision loss?

The term that describes temporary monocular vision loss is "amaurosis fugax." This condition specifically refers to a transient episode where vision is lost in one eye, often lasting only a few minutes but can be alarming for the patient. Amaurosis fugax is often caused by blood flow issues, such as embolism to the retinal artery, and is a critical indicator of potential underlying vascular problems, like carotid artery disease.

Understanding this condition is important, as it serves as a warning sign for patients that may need further evaluation for systemic cardiovascular risks. In contrast, diplopia refers to double vision, scotoma indicates a partial loss of vision or a blind spot in an otherwise normal visual field, and photophobia describes an abnormal sensitivity to light. None of these terms directly relate to the temporary loss of vision in one eye, which makes amaurosis fugax the accurate choice in this context.