Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy

What's going on?

The blood supply to optic nerve has been compromised, resulting in
loss of vision. The cause is either a blood clot stopping the blood
supply to the nerve or an inflammatory process, usually secondary to a
systemic condition called giant cell arteritis. Depending upon the
severity you may lose all of your vision or just a part.

What will my ophthalmologist see?

We can usually see that the nerve is swollen.

What will my ophthalmologist do for me?

We can try and determine the cause of the condition and institute
treatment if appropriate. We can advise you of what the likely prognosis
is and hopefully give you some treatment to try and prevent it
happening again.

What can I do?

If we give you treatment adhere to it. If the vision goes down in your other eye you need to let us know immediately.

What do I need to know?

The prognosis for vision is much better if it is not the inflammatory
process. Visual recovery is extremely unlikely if the problem is due to
giant cell arteritis.

Protecting the other eye is vital.