What causes AAION?

As opposed to the more common non-arteritis variety (NAION), AAION accounts for 5-10% of anterior ischemic optic neuropathies (AION) and is caused by inflammation and subsequent thrombosis of the short posterior ciliary arteries (SPCA’s), which originate from the ophthalmic artery, and results in optic nerve head …

What is non arteritic?

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is due to impaired circulation of blood to the front of the optic nerve. It is called “non-arteritic” because there is reduced blood flow without true inflammation of the blood vessels (as there is in arteritis).

What causes poor blood flow to the optic nerve?

The blood supply to the optic nerve is blocked due to inflammation of the arteries (arteritis), most notably giant cell arteritis. Typically affected are the temporal arteries, which run through the temples and provide… read more .

How does temporal arteritis affect the eyes?

Giant cell arteritis is also known as temporal arteritis. If the blood vessels servicing the eyes are affected, sudden blindness in one or both eyes can result. This vision loss is usually severe and permanent. Around one person in 500 experiences giant cell arteritis, with twice as many women affected as men.

What is diabetic Papillopathy?

Diabetic papillopathy (DP) is a term that is used to characterize a finding of unilateral or bilateral optic disc edema with variable visual loss seen in patients with diabetes.

What does arteritic mean?

(ar’ter-ī’tis), Inflammation or infection involving an artery or arteries. [L. arteria, artery, + G. – itis, inflammation]

How common is non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy?

The vast majority of cases of AION are non-arteritic. NAION affects between 2.3 and 10.3 people per 100,000 individuals per year making it the most common cause of acute optic neuropathy in patients over the age of 50. There are approximately 6000 new cases per year and Caucasians account for nearly 95% of cases.

How can I strengthen my optic nerve?

There are no effective treatments to regenerate nerve cells or to restore connections between the eye and brain once the optic nerve is lost. This is a major barrier in the field and one that must be overcome, given the substantial number of patients suffering from optic neuropathy-associated blindness.

Can you increase blood flow to optic nerve?

Some doctors prescribe drugs to lower eye pressure in hopes to improve blood flow to the optic nerve. There has been some research on the potential to prescribe medications that act as neuro-protection that may regenerate nerve fibers in the optic nerve.

What is the treatment for optic neuropathy?

Optic neuritis usually improves on its own. In some cases, steroid medications are used to reduce inflammation in the optic nerve. Possible side effects from steroid treatment include weight gain, mood changes, facial flushing, stomach upset and insomnia. Steroid treatment is usually given by vein (intravenously).

Can temporal arteritis be cured?

Is there a cure for giant cell arteritis? As of now, there is no immediate cure for GCA. Treatment with high-dose steroids can stop symptoms quickly, in as few as 1 to 3 days. Many people go into remission on these drugs, meaning they have no signs of the disease, and do not progress to vision loss.

What does blurred vision from diabetes look like?

Diabetic macular edema is a build-up of fluid in the center of the retina, or the macula. This part of the eye is responsible for sharp vision and most of our color vision. Symptoms can include: Blurry or wavy vision in the center of your field of vision.

How do you treat AION?

A-PION, like A-AION, requires urgent treatment with high-dose steroid therapy to prevent any further visual loss in one or both eyes. There is no satisfactory treatment for surgical PION, except to take prophylactic measures to prevent its development.

Can sleep apnea cause an eye stroke?

High cholesterol, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, age, and use of certain medications may also increase your risk. Every person has a different shape of their optic nerve, and some shapes can raise your risk of eye stroke.