The amaurosis fugax is a transient but very alarming phenomenon. It is characterised by a sudden and temporary loss of vision. It is not a disease in itself, but a consequence that can be associated with many different causes. Hence the importance of recognising the symptoms and not delaying in seeking medical attention.
What is amaurosis fugax or sudden vision loss?
During a episode of amaurosis fugaxThe affected person experiences a sudden and temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes. This loss may be partial or total.
Sufferers often compare the experience to that of a dark curtain or shadow descending before the eyes, completely obstructing the field of vision.
The obstruction may consist of total obscuration, partial but very intense obscuration or vision so blurred that it prevents the person from functioning normally.
The common denominator is that this loss of vision occurs suddenly, is transient and disappears quickly, with visual capacity recovering within seconds or minutes.
What are the causes of amaurosis fugax?
And why can an episode of amaurosis fugax occur? There are many different possible causes. Let's take a look at the most common ones:
- Ocular migraines
- High intraocular pressure
- Insufficient blood supply to the retina or optic nerve
- Stenosis (narrowing) of the carotid arteries
- Some neurological disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions or accidents
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
- Certain autoimmune diseases
- Some metabolic disorders
- Trauma and injuries to the eye, head or neck
- Diabetic hypoglycaemia
- Transient hypoglycaemia
- Sudden and very sharp drops in blood pressure
How to identify symptoms and when to be concerned
The three symptoms are:
- Sudden loss of vision: usually occurs in only one eye, but can also occur in both eyes.
- Additional sensations: during the episode of vision loss some people perceive certain visual sensations, such as flashes of light and areas of brightness or colour.
- Very short duration: the loss of vision usually lasts from several seconds to a few minutes, after which vision recovers spontaneously.
And when to worry? Always, even if it is an isolated episode. Even more so if the episodes are repetitive or recurrent. Let us not forget that amaurosis fugax can be caused by an underlying condition, but also by a stroke or cardiovascular accident.
Additional causes for concern are:
- The presence of other symptoms, such as slurred speech, dizziness, severe headaches or severe fatigue.
- Pre-existing risk factors, such as a history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes or neurological disorders.
Can amaurosis fugax be prevented or treated?
Amaurosis fugax can be prevented, but not specifically. Prevention involves controlling risk factors that may lead to the development or exacerbation of some of the conditions likely to trigger episodes of amaurosis fugax.
In other words, it is about:
- Control blood pressure.
- Do the same for cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
- No smoking.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Eating in a healthy and balanced way.
- If you have a condition that may cause episodes of amaurosis fugax, follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor scrupulously.
- Even if you are in apparently perfect health, you should have an annual medical check-up.
- Have an annual ophthalmological check-up.
And if you suffer an episode of amaurosis fugax, what do you do? Obviously, seek medical attention as soon as possible. And once the underlying causes have been diagnosed, undergo treatment.
Depending on the causes, the therapeutic options are quite different. By way of example, these may include:
- The use of specific drugs to reduce intraocular pressure.
- Administration of anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.
- In case of diabetes, strict control of diabetes.
- Drug treatment of the autoimmune or metabolic disease causing the episodes of vision loss.
- Surgery, if the cause of amaurosis fugax is a serious cerebrovascular or cardiovascular disorder.
In conclusion, following an episode of amaurosis fugax, immediate medical attention is essential. And it goes without saying that in the Nebro Ophthalmology Clinic we have the means to diagnose early on any eye disorder that could lead to future episodes of amaurosis fugax.