Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Some ophthalmologists may describe ischemia of the optic nerve as a “stroke at the back of the eye.

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is a sudden loss of central vision, side vision or both due to a decreased or interrupted blood flow to the eye’s optic nerve. How much vision is lost depends on how much the optic nerve is affected.

There are two types of ischemic optic neuropathy

·      Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION)

·      Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (PION)

There are 2 different form of AION i.e. Arteritic AION and Nonarteritic AION (NAION). NAION has less of an impact on visual outcome than the arteritic form (AION) and is the most common form of ION.

Some of the common diseases and conditions which can put a patient at higher risk for NAION include Diabetes mellitus, Rheumatoid arthritis, Anemia, Sickle cell trait, Systemic low blood pressure or severe high blood pressure, and Migraine.

The symptoms of NAION are usually sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, with vision perhaps appearing cloudy or blurry. Usually these symptoms are noticed first when you wake up.

With arteritic AOIN, the more dangerous form of AION, the majority of people have giant cell arteritis (GCA). This condition may cause symptoms before vision loss, such as overall fatigue, fever, pain in the temples, neck pain, pain when chewing, and scalp pain. (Another less common form of GCA has no symptoms). A key visual symptom with arteritic AION is temporary blurring or loss of vision before vision loss is permanent.

To know more you can read the original articles by clicking the links given below.

http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/diseases/ischemic-optic-neuropathy/index.cfm

http://www.medicine.uiowa.edu/eye/AION-part1/

If you experience sudden vision loss, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. Don’t forget to call ahead to make your appointment for your eye test in Melbourne, Florida or any of our three convenient locations in Florida of 20/20 Eyeglass Superstore®.

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