A 45-year-old male presents with sudden onset of visual loss in the left eye after being struck by a blunt object. On examination, the left eye has a relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) and significantly decreased visual acuity. What are the possible diagnoses and next steps?
The patient's symptoms suggest possible traumatic optic neuropathy, a serious injury where the optic nerve is damaged by blunt trauma. Another possibility is retinal detachment, especially if the patient describes seeing flashes or floaters. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate referral to an ophthalmologist. Treatment may involve high-dose corticosteroids or surgical intervention depending on the severity of the injury and the clinical context.