What is Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy?
The Optic Nerve is responsible for taking impulses from the eye to the brain. When there is an interruption in the blood flow in the Optic Nerve due to Inflammation leading to sudden loss in vision, it is known as Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy or AION.
The interruption in the blood flow in the Optic Nerve leads to the lack of Oxygen and nutrients which are imperative for the blood vessels to survive and carry information or impulses from the eye to the brain leading to vision loss or even damage to the optic nerve.
When the loss of vision is not caused by an inflammation, it is known as Non Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy
What are the symptoms of Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy?
Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy can be categorised into:
1. Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy
2. Non Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy
Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy
When a patient suffers loss of vision because of an inflammation due to giant cell arteries, it is known as Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy. Giant Cell Arteries, also known as temporal arteritis causes a patient medium as well as large sized artery inflammation. If not treated quickly, Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy can lead to complete loss of vision and can even be fatal.
Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy affects women more than men mostly over the age of 55.
Some of the symptoms of Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy are:
1. Pain or tingling sensation in the scalp
2. Neck Pain
3. Fever
4. Sudden weight loss
5. Appetite Loss
6. Tiredness and Fatigue
7. General muscle pains or pain in the upper legs/arms
8. Pain while chewing food
It should be noted that symptoms pertaining to vision in Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy are usually painless. Patients might get temporary blurry vision or even vision loss for while before the vision loss gets permanent. It is very important to visit your doctor immediately.
Non Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy
Non Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy is most common for people over the age of 50 and can appear in both men and women. Non Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy occurs when inflammation is not the cause of blockage in the blood flow of the optic nerve. It can be caused by:
1. Severe drop in blood pressure
2. Increase in pressure in the eye ball
3. Increase in thickness of blood
4. Thinning Arteries
5. Decrease in blood flow in the Optic Nerve
There are a number of factors that contribute to Non Arteric Anterior Ischematic Optic Neuropathy:
1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) or drop in Blood Pressure
2. Cholesterol
3. Smoking
4. Increased Cholestrol
5. Heart Problems or blocked arteries
6. Sickle Cell Trait
7. Inflammation of a blood vessel
