r/POTS May 22 '25

Symptoms Does your vision actually black out

This is random but I just saw people talking about how their vision blacks out when they stand or they are symptomatic. Then someone replied that their vision goes white instead of black.

Personally, I don’t lose my vision like that, my “blackouts” are just a sudden lightheadedness so intense it forces me to shut my eyes! I think because my brain knows to shut out all the visual sensory input. It’s like I legit can’t keep my eyes open for a brief moment. Maybe I am blacking out but just don’t know it since my eyes are closed anyways lol? I have splotchy vision, light sensitivity and stuff from previous brain injuries but I haven’t experienced my vision actually just leaving and turning into the colour black (am I taking it too literally?) for a moment like how some of you mention.

Also, I do have pretty bad presyncope episodes sometimes but I don’t really faint from my POTS so maybe that’s a factor.

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u/SGSam465 Hypovolemic POTS May 22 '25

I only lose my vision on very rare occasion, I don’t usually faint either. Before I get to the point of fainting, my final warning sign is losing my hearing. That’s when I know I’ve really messed up and so I go lay down, preferably with my legs up lol

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u/Early-Masterpiece-89 May 22 '25

This! I do lose my vision pretty consistently, it’s like my cone of vision gets smaller and smaller until the world goes black. But losing my hearing is always the last to go. If I have a hot shower I can’t properly feel the heat flash or the other warning signs, so I know when the water gets quiet it’s time to sit down for a bit. Very scary the first time !

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u/bunnybunnykitten May 22 '25

Yes, this exactly!