Introduction
Amaurosis fugax is a condition in which you lose your sight in one eye. The loss of vision in the affected eye may be total or partial. The vision loss usually lasts for only a few seconds or minutes before sight returns to normal. Occasionally, it may last for several hours. This condition is caused by interruption of blood flow to the artery that supplies blood to the retina. The retina is the part of your eye that contains the nerves needed for sight.
In some people, this condition can be a sign of an increased risk of a stroke. A stroke can result in permanent vision loss or loss of other body functions.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a loss or interruption of blood flow. This can be due to a buildup of cholesterol …show more content…
Excessive alcohol use.
Use of illegal drugs, especially cocaine.
Increasing age.
Family history of stroke.
What are the signs or symptoms?
The main symptom of this condition is painless, sudden loss of vision in one eye. The vision loss often starts at the top and moves down, as if a curtain is being pulled down over your eye. This is usually followed by a quick return of vision. However, symptoms may last for several hours.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed by:
Medical history and physical exam.
Eye exam.
Carotid ultrasound. This checks to see if plaque has built up in the carotid arteries in your neck.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). This checks the anatomy of the carotid artery and the branches that supply the brain to look for areas of blockage or …show more content…
How is this treated?
Emergency treatment for this condition may involve massaging the eyeball or certain breathing techniques to remove or help the blockage of the retinal artery. Other treatment for this condition focuses on reducing your risk of having a stroke in the future. This may include:
Medicines. These may include medicines to control high blood pressure, manage diabetes, or manage cholesterol, if needed. Blood thinning medicines may also be prescribed.
Procedures to either remove plaque in your carotid arteries or widen carotid arteries that have become narrow due to plaque. These may include:
Carotid endarterectomy. This is a surgical procedure where the plaque is removed.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting. This a procedure in which a thin tube with a balloon is placed into the artery and is then inflated to open the blocked portion of the artery. This can be followed by placing a stent to keep that section of the artery open.
Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of having a stroke, such as diet changes and getting enough exercise.
It is possible that you may not need any immediate treatment.
Follow these instructions at
Amaurosis fugax is a condition in which you lose your sight in one eye. The loss of vision in the affected eye may be total or partial. The vision loss usually lasts for only a few seconds or minutes before sight returns to normal. Occasionally, it may last for several hours. This condition is caused by interruption of blood flow to the artery that supplies blood to the retina. The retina is the part of your eye that contains the nerves needed for sight.
In some people, this condition can be a sign of an increased risk of a stroke. A stroke can result in permanent vision loss or loss of other body functions.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a loss or interruption of blood flow. This can be due to a buildup of cholesterol …show more content…
Excessive alcohol use.
Use of illegal drugs, especially cocaine.
Increasing age.
Family history of stroke.
What are the signs or symptoms?
The main symptom of this condition is painless, sudden loss of vision in one eye. The vision loss often starts at the top and moves down, as if a curtain is being pulled down over your eye. This is usually followed by a quick return of vision. However, symptoms may last for several hours.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed by:
Medical history and physical exam.
Eye exam.
Carotid ultrasound. This checks to see if plaque has built up in the carotid arteries in your neck.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). This checks the anatomy of the carotid artery and the branches that supply the brain to look for areas of blockage or …show more content…
How is this treated?
Emergency treatment for this condition may involve massaging the eyeball or certain breathing techniques to remove or help the blockage of the retinal artery. Other treatment for this condition focuses on reducing your risk of having a stroke in the future. This may include:
Medicines. These may include medicines to control high blood pressure, manage diabetes, or manage cholesterol, if needed. Blood thinning medicines may also be prescribed.
Procedures to either remove plaque in your carotid arteries or widen carotid arteries that have become narrow due to plaque. These may include:
Carotid endarterectomy. This is a surgical procedure where the plaque is removed.
Carotid angioplasty and stenting. This a procedure in which a thin tube with a balloon is placed into the artery and is then inflated to open the blocked portion of the artery. This can be followed by placing a stent to keep that section of the artery open.
Lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of having a stroke, such as diet changes and getting enough exercise.
It is possible that you may not need any immediate treatment.
Follow these instructions at