Embolic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
The presumed cause of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is atherosclerotic vascular changes. Small-vessel occlusive vascular disease most likely causes occlusion of one or more posterior ciliary arteries, compromising blood flow to the optic nerve head and choroid. We present the case of a 59-year-old black man with cholesterol emboli within the retinal vasculature combined with a clinical picture of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and choroidal nonperfusion demonstrated by i.v. fluorescein angiography. We believe this is evidence that, in a rare case, embolic phenomena may be the cause of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
Portnoy
S L
SL
LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans.
Beer
P M
PM
Packer
A J
AJ
Van Dyk
H J
HJ
D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D002784:Cholesterol; D002924:Ciliary Body / Q000098:blood supply*; D004617:Embolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012171:Retinal Vessels; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
D002784:Cholesterol