[Light-induced amaurosis fugax].
BACKGROUND
Internal carotid artery atherosclerotic disease may present with a wide variety of ipsilateral ocular symptoms and signs that can herald a devastating stroke. Asymptomatic retinal emboli, transient monocular visual loss (also known as amaurosis fugax) and central retinal artery occlusion are the most common.


METHODS
A 66-year-old man presented several spells of monocular light-induced amaurosis fugax related to a severe carotid occlusive disease. Ancillary tests showed an exhausted cerebrovascular reactivity and visual evoked potentials demonstrated an increased latency. Following a carotid endarterectomy the patient remained asymptomatic and ancillary tests normalized.


CONCLUSIONS
Our report supports the theory that light-induced amaurosis fugax occurs on a hemodynamic basis. A prompt recognition of this symptom is critical since symptomatic severe carotid stenosis implies a high risk of ipsilateral stroke.
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo. s.calleja@telecable.es
S
S
Calleja
F
F
Vega
N
N
Zeidán
C H
CH
Lahoz
D000368:Aged; D020757:Amaurosis Fugax / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002533:Cerebral Angiography; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D015349:Vision, Monocular