The optic nerve is the part of the eye that transmits visual information from the eye to the brain. Ischemic optic neuropathy is an eye condition that occurs when the blood supply to the optic nerve is interrupted.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common type of ischemic optic neuropathy that affects the anterior part of the optic nerve. NAION occurs primarily in white people since they typically have smaller optic discs (front part of the optic nerve), which predisposes to this condition. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking and obstructive sleep apnea. Some patients do not have any of these risk factors.
The optic nerve is swollen in the first several weeks after vision loss in patients with NAION. After vision loss occurs, there may be some mild improvement, but the vision usually does not significantly change. There is no established treatment for NAION. Your neuro-ophthalmologist usually will perform a blood test to screen for a vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels that would put you at risk for bilateral blindness. A low-dose aspirin is often recommended for patients that have had NAION and have other vascular risk ffactors.
It is important that you work with your family physician to optimize your blood pressure, cholesterol and screen for diabetes and obstructive sleep apnea. If you smoke, work with your doctor on strategies to quit. There is a 15% chance the your other develops NAION within 5 years. It is rare for ischemic optic neuropathy to re-occur in the same eye.
Read the New York Time’s Frank Bruni write on his experience with ischemic optic neuropathy:
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