Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Abstract

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is the most common acute unilateral optic nerve-related cause of vision loss in people over age 50. Patients usually present with sudden onset of painless vision loss in one eye. Fundoscopy demonstrates optic disc swelling in the affected eye acutely. Risk factors for NAION include diabetes, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and an anatomically crowded disc. There is no treatment available that has proven efficacious to treat NAION. Therefore, management consists of evaluation for and treatment of underlying risk factors, which could place the patient at risk of NAION in the fellow eye, as well as other systemic complications, in the future.