In amaurosis fugax, the blood flow to the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, is interrupted, causing a temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes. The retina converts light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain for processing.
It can feel like a curtain falling over your eye for a few moments or it may affect your ability to see clearly or completely. Amaurosis fugax is not painful or permanent.
However, amaurosis fugax is a sign of an underlying problem that needs medical attention. It can be caused by various factors that affect the blood vessels in your head and eyes, such as:
Blood clots or plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to your brain.
Inflammation or damage to the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain.
Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which are conditions where the blood flow to your brain is temporarily blocked.
Other diseases or conditions that affect your nervous system or blood pressure, such as migraine headaches, multiple sclerosis, giant cell arteritis, optic neuritis, polyarteritis nodosa, etc.
A number of activities can also trigger amaurosis fugax, including strenuous exercise, long-distance running, sexual activity, etc.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical examination, as well as check your blood pressure and pulse if you experience amaurosis fugax more than once in a short period of time (usually less than 24 hours).
To diagnose the cause of amaurosis fugax, your doctor may order some tests and procedures, such as:
Blood tests to check for signs of infection, inflammation, clotting disorders, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, etc.
Eye exams to check for signs of retinal detachment or other eye problems.
Imaging tests such as ultrasound (sonogram), computed tomography (CT) scan (X-ray scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (X-ray scan), angiography (X-ray scan with dye injection), etc., to visualize the blood vessels in your head and eyes.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) or electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor your heart rhythm and brain activity.
The goal of treatment for amaurosis fugax is to prevent further episodes of the disease and reduce the risk of stroke or other serious complications.
Some of the possible treatments are:
Depending on whether you have high cholesterol levels or other risk factors for stroke, you may need medications such as aspirin (to thin your blood), warfarin (to prevent blood clots), clopidogrel (to prevent platelet aggregation).
A carotid endarterectomy can be performed to remove plaque from the carotid artery, or a stent can be placed to keep the artery open, depending on the degree of carotid stenosis (narrowing) that causes amaurosis fugax.
Depending on whether you have optic neuritis or polyarteritis nodosa that causes amaurosis fugax, you may need corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation in the optic nerve) or immunosuppressants.
If you smoke or drink alcohol, you should change your lifestyle, eat a healthy diet containing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and seeds, avoid fatty foods, saturated fats, trans fats, salt, and added sugars, limit caffeine intake, manage stress levels, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly, depending on whether you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels.
Identifying and treating any underlying conditions that may cause amaurosis fugax is the best way to prevent it. You should also follow some general tips to lower your stroke and other vascular risks.
such as:
Getting regular check-ups with your doctor and following their advice on medications and screenings for stroke and other diseases that may affect your vascular health
Taking medications as prescribed by your doctor and reporting any side effects or changes in symptoms immediately
Avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption as they can damage your blood vessels and increase inflammation in your body
Eating a healthy diet low in sodium and saturated fats, with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercising regularly to keep your blood pressure in check.
When the blood flow to your retina is interrupted by a variety of factors that affect your head and eyes, amaurosis fugax causes a temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes. In addition to not being painful and causing no permanent damage to your vision, amaurosis fugax is a sign of an underlying problem that needs medical attention. Doctors can diagnose amaurosis fugax by performing a physical examination and ordering tests and procedures. Depending on the cause and risk factors of amaurosis fugax, treatment aims to reduce the risk of strokes and other serious complications by preventing further episodes. It is possible to prevent amaurosis fugax by identifying and treating any underlying conditions that may cause it, as well as following some general tips to reduce your chances of stroke and other vascular problems.
