Amaurosis fugax is a condition of sudden, temporary blindness in one or both eyes. Amaurosis fugax is often an early sign of a stroke.
The retina is the part of the eye that functions to capture light from outside. The light will then be translated in the brain to form an image.
In the retina, there are blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the retina. However, in amaurosis fugax, the retinal blood vessels are blocked so that the eye cannot see.
Amaurosis fugax is also called temporary blindness or transient vision loss. If not treated properly, amaurosis fugax can cause complications in the form of permanent blindness, and can increase the risk of stroke.
Causes of Amaurosis Fugax
Amaurosis fugax is caused by atherosclerosis which then forms fatty plaques and blood clots.
Blood clots can come from the large blood vessels in the neck (carotid arteries) or the heart, which break off and then block the blood vessels in the retina. The blood clot can also come from the blood vessels in the retina itself.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of blood clots or fat forming in the blood vessels of the retina, namely:
- Old age
- Smoke
- Suffering from heart disease, such as arrhythmia
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Abuse of drugs
- Suffering from diabetes
- Having a history of stroke in the family
- Suffering from hypertension and high cholesterol
Some other medical conditions that can cause amaurosis fugax are:
- Polycythemia vera
- Blood vessel disorders, such as inflammation of the arteries (polyarteritis nodosa)
- Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis)
- Head injury
- Brain tumor
- Migraine
- Multiple sclerosis , which is a nerve disorder in the brain, eyes, and spine
- Lupus , an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in various parts of the body.
Although rare, amaurosis fugax is also at risk of occurring due to sudden narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain. This condition can occur in heavy physical activity and is carried out continuously for a long time.
Symptoms of Amaurosis Fugax
Amaurosis fugax is a symptom of another disease. Complaints that arise can be blurred vision in one or both eyes suddenly. This condition usually lasts a few seconds to a few minutes, then returns to normal.
Some people with amaurosis fugax describe the blurred vision as if someone had covered their eyes with a curtain.
In many cases, amaurosis fugax indicates a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or early stroke. If amaurosis fugax is accompanied by a TIA, symptoms that appear include difficulty speaking, sudden weakness on one side of the body, and drooping of one side of the face.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of amaurosis fugax. As mentioned above, amaurosis fugax can be a symptom of a serious illness, such as a stroke. Therefore, early examination is necessary to diagnose the disease and prevent the condition from getting worse.
Symptoms of Amaurosis Fugax
Amaurosis fugax is a symptom of another disease. Complaints that arise can be blurred vision in one or both eyes suddenly. This condition usually lasts a few seconds to a few minutes, then returns to normal.
Some people with amaurosis fugax describe the blurred vision as if someone had covered their eyes with a curtain.
In many cases, amaurosis fugax indicates a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or early stroke. If amaurosis fugax is accompanied by a TIA, symptoms that appear include difficulty speaking, sudden weakness on one side of the body, and drooping of one side of the face.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of amaurosis fugax. As mentioned above, amaurosis fugax can be a symptom of a serious illness, such as a stroke. Therefore, early examination is necessary to diagnose the disease and prevent the condition from getting worse.
Diagnosis of Amaurosis Fugax
The doctor will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms and medical history. After that, the doctor will perform a physical, neurological, and eye examination.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will carry out supporting examinations, namely:
- Scans, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), to detect blockages in the blood vessels of the neck.
- Blood tests, to measure cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), to detect cardiac arrhythmias
Amaurosis Fugax Treatment
The treatment method for amaurosis fugax will be adjusted to the underlying cause. Doctors can prescribe several medications, for example:
- Blood thinners, such as aspirin and warfarin, to reduce the risk of stroke
- Antihypertensive drugs , such as ACE inhibitors, to lower blood pressure.
- Ergotamine and triptan drugs , to treat migraines
In addition to giving medication, the doctor will also ask the patient to check and receive treatment regularly so that their condition can always be monitored. Routine checks can also help doctors detect signs of stroke early.
If necessary, the doctor can also perform surgery to remove clots in the blood vessels of the neck. This surgery is called a carotid endarterectomy.
Complications of Amaurosis Fugax
Although temporary, amaurosis fugax usually occurs due to certain medical conditions. If the cause is not treated, amaurosis fugax can cause the following complications:
- Stroke
- Heart attack
- Permanent blindness
Prevention of Amaurosis Fugax
There are several ways that can be done to prevent or reduce the risk of amaurosis fugax, namely:
- Stop smoking.
- Always control your blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Maintain blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels .
- Implement a healthy and balanced diet, low in fat and low in sugar .
- Increase consumption of vegetables and fruits.
- Stop the habit of consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Do exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes a day.
- Have regular check-ups and see a doctor if you suffer from diabetes , hypertension, and heart disease.
References :
Mbonde, A., et al. (2022). Current Guidelines on Management of Amaurosis Fugax and Transient Ischemic Attacks. Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 11(2), pp. 168–76.
Tan, S., et al. (2022). Lights Off, Lights On: Amaurosis Fugax in Polycythemia. Cureus, 14(6), pp. 1–5.
National Institutes of Health (2021). National Library of Medicine. Amaurosis Fugax.
National Institutes of Health (2020). MedlinePlus. Amaurosis Fugax.
Cleveland Clinic (2022). Body Systems & Organs. Retina.
American Academy of Ophthalmology (2022). Pages. Amaurosis Fugax (Transient Vision Loss).
Healthline (2018). Amaurosis Fugax.
Medscape (2019). Transient Vision Loss (TVL) and Amaurosis Fugax.