Subretinal fluid from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy demonstrated by optical coherence tomography.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the development of subfoveal fluid associated with optic disc swelling from nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.


METHODS
Optical coherence tomographic studies obtained during a 3-year period (October 1, 2003, to December 30, 2006) from 76 patients who developed ischemic optic neuropathy from 2 institutions were evaluated. The presence or absence, and the distribution, of subretinal fluid was determined.


RESULTS
Seventy-six patients underwent macular optical coherence tomography within 4 weeks of developing sudden loss of vision in one eye, decreased visual acuity, a visual field defect, a relative afferent pupillary defect, and optic disc swelling with peripapillary hemorrhages. Eight patients had apparent subretinal fluid extending into the subfoveal space. Visual acuity improved in 5 of the 8 patients as the subfoveal fluid resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
Subretinal fluid develops in some patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and may contribute to some of the visual loss associated with this condition. Furthermore, resolution of the subretinal fluid could account for some of the visual improvement that can follow anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
New England Eye Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. thedges@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Thomas R
TR
Hedges
Laurel N
LN
Vuong
Alberto O
AO
Gonzalez-Garcia
Carlos E
CE
Mendoza-Santiesteban
Maria Luz
ML
Amaro-Quierza
D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D005584:Fovea Centralis; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000150:complications*; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014794:Visual Fields