Overview and Facts about Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Ischemic optic neuropathy is an eye condition that occurs when the blood flow to the eye’s optic nerve is reduced or blocked. The optic nerve is important for transmitting visual information from your eyes to your brain; it is essentially responsible for vision.
When blood flow to the optic nerve is interrupted, it doesn’t get the oxygen it needs to function properly. Without treatment, nerve damage can cause vision loss in one or both eyes.
Monocular double vision is associated with problems with the cornea and lens of the eye. Binocular diplopia is related to how your eyes work together to focus light precisely on the retina.
Signs and Symptoms of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
The primary symptom of ischemic optic neuropathy is rapid vision loss, which can affect your central or peripheral vision, and is typically painless.
Some patients will first experience a transient ischemic attack, in which your vision darkens for a few seconds or minutes before returning to normal, or you experience vision loss upon awakening.
Causes and Risk Factors of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Ischemic optic neuropathy generally affects an older population. One of the main causes of ischemia (an inadequate blood supply) are clogged arteries or atherosclerosis. However, several risk factors can contribute to the development of ischemic optic neuropathy.
Additional risk factors for ischemic optic neuropathy include:
Tests and Diagnosis of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
In order to diagnose ischemic optic neuropathy, your doctor will perform an eye examination looking for optic nerve damage and swelling of the blood vessels behind your eye.
The doctor will further test your vision and measure the fluid pressure within your eye. Blood tests may be ordered to detect inflammation, and imaging tests such as MRI, or CT scans, may be used to determine the extent of vision loss.
Treatment and Care for Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Treatment of ischemic optic neuropathy depends on the extent of vision damage and the underlying cause of your eye condition. If ischemic optic neuropathy is the result of swelling of the arteries in your head, oral steroids may be prescribed to prevent the condition from affecting your other eye.
To avoid further risk, your doctor may also prescribe therapies that reduce high blood pressure, address atherosclerosis, relieve migraine headaches, or help you manage diabetes and other health conditions.
While vision loss from ischemic optic neuropathy cannot be reversed, an ophthalmologist may suggest vision aids, including magnifiers and talking devices. Also, there are low vision techniques, such as increasing the amount of light in your house and creating more contrast to help distinguish objects.
