Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is a condition in which the front part of the optic nerve loses its blood supply and becomes damaged, causing sudden vision loss. People usually notice painless blurring or loss of vision in one eye, often first thing in the morning, and may also see dim or washed-out colors. There are two main forms: one caused by inflammation of blood vessels and another related to poor blood flow from conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or crowded optic nerve anatomy. Eye doctors diagnose it using an eye exam, vision tests, and imaging of the optic nerve and sometimes blood tests to look for underlying causes. This condition matters because it can leave permanent vision deficits and because it sometimes signals a serious systemic problem such as giant cell arteritis, which requires urgent treatment to protect the other eye. While some patients regain partial vision over time, many are left with lasting blind spots or reduced sharpness. Early diagnosis and management aim to treat the cause, control risk factors, and, in inflammatory cases, start medications that can prevent further damage. Regular follow-up is important to monitor the unaffected eye and to manage overall vascular health, since preventing future episodes often depends on controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.