Transient loss of vision in one or both eyes due to a lack of blood supply to the retina is known as Amaurosis Fugax (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye).
As a result, it is not a disease in itself, but rather a sign of a more serious problem, such as an artery being blocked by blood clots or pieces of plaque. Temporary visual loss or transient monocular visual loss are other names for this condition.
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Amaurosis Fugax is Characterised by What?
“Black curtain falling vertically in the field of vision of eyes” is the most common way to describe it. Study participants with this condition reported seeing a darkening of their vision in about 24%.
It can last for a long period of time, and the vision becomes blurry and hazy. The length of time it takes to regain vision is also determined by the underlying condition. The underlying cause of your problem may be revealed by additional symptoms.
Amaurosis Fugax: What Is the Cause?
Various factors, such as clots or plaque, can obstruct blood flow through the central retinal artery. To get to the eye, this travels along a major artery, like the carotid (neck) or coronary arteries. Polysaccharides, fat, and water are just some of the substances that make up plaque.
Alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs, as well as hereditary conditions such as cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure or cholesterol, can all contribute to the condition. Diabetes and advancing years both raise the stakes.
These medical conditions could be the cause of your temporary loss of vision:
- One of the most common causes of headaches is migraine.
- Damage to the brain and skull
- Cancer of the brain.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Optic neuritis, for example, is a condition that affects the optic nerve.
- Carotid artery or ophthalmic artery atherosclerosis
- Thrombocytic infiltrate
- Papilledema (swelling of the papilla)
Involuntary constriction or tightening of blood vessels causes a temporary vasospasm, a restriction of blood flow. Exhausting activities like sports or sex can cause it.
Amaurosis Fugax has a slew of underlying causes like these. Reduced blood flow to the eye can be caused by neurological or ocular problems. Also, some auto-immune diseases (infections affecting one’s own body) can contribute.
Amaurosis Fugax can be treated in a number of ways. Treatment can only begin once the root cause of the problem has been discovered.
Some immediate treatments can be applied to reduce the likelihood of a stroke being identified (due to high cholesterol levels or blood clots). A stroke occurs when a clot gets lodged in a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain. There are however a number of options available, such as:
Consumption of anticoagulants (prolong the time of coagulation of blood). As an example, consider aspirin or warfarin.
Carotid endarterectomy, based on the location and extent of blood vessel narrowing. Doctors will remove plaque from the vessels and perform carotid endarterectomy.
Care for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. It is possible to reduce the risk of developing such health conditions by adhering to a healthy lifestyle.
Exactly how is Amaurosis Fugax Diagnosed?
Symptoms should be reported to a healthcare provider as soon as possible so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. It’s important to provide a medical history. Both a physical and an ophthalmic examination are performed in tandem.
In addition, the doctor may order tests such as the following:
- Diagnostic imaging, including intracranial ultrasound, to rule out blockage or damage in the brain.
- Detecting the likelihood of blood clots requires testing for cholesterol levels.
- In order to detect any changes in a heartbeat, an ECG or EKG should be performed.
- If the imaging scans are normal, fluorescein angiography can be performed.
- When diagnosing Amaurosis Fugax, the doctor asks for more specific information about the patient’s medical history.
What are the side effects of Amaurosis Fugax, and what are they?
An increased risk of underlying health issues such as stroke can be seen in this temporary loss of vision.
A person with a history of heart, neurological, or ophthalmic disease should pay special attention to this. If these signs are ignored, the patient’s health will be jeopardised. As soon as you notice this, call your doctor right away.
Conclusion
In and of itself, Amaurosis Fugax is a symptom that has a specific underlying cause. It can be an indication of an underlying problem, such as a stroke-preventable transient ischemic attack (TIA). This indicates that something is amiss in the body, and a visit to the doctor is necessary before it becomes life-threatening.
