Amaurosis Fugax

Symptoms and Facts:

• Painless, monocular visual loss, may be total or sectorial (traditional blackout of vision)
• Vision loss typically lasts only seconds, but may last for hours
• Vision returns to normal
• A curtain coming down over the eye usually from top to bottom, but occasionally vice versa
• Frequency of attacks may vary from several times a day to one every few hours
• Typical patients are elderly with a history of Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or atherosclerosis. It can occur in young patients with a history of cardiac valve disease, blood constituent or coagulation abnormalities, or drug use
• There are no other neurological symptoms or findings in association with Amarosis Fugax

What can be done?

• Tests include a thorough ophthalmological and neurological examination. Subsequently, a carotid ultrasound or an MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) should be done to evaluate the amount of blockage in the carotid artery.
• Routine blood tests such as cholesterol and glucose should be done to assess risk of atherosclerosis, which increases with elevated cholesterol and diabetes.
• Treatment depends on the results of the evaluation. If there is evidence of blockage of more than 70% of the carotid artery, the patient may be considered for surgery to remove the blockage.
• Lowering cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure and cessation of smoking can help decrease the risk of atherosclerosis.
• Amaurosis fugax may be a sign of impending stroke. The attack itself does not result in any permanent disability. Though this condition does not result in any permanent damage, it is a sign of atherosclerotic disease and therefore implies a serious risk for stroke. Prevention of stroke includes eating a healthy diet low in fat, controlling high blood cholesterol and high blood sugar as well as lowering blood pressure, doing regular exercise, and not smoking.