What Is Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy?
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is the most frequent cause of sight loss in people over 50 years of age. Ischemia is a term meaning inadequate blood supply, and optic neuropathy means an abnormality to the optic nerve which supplies the eye. Anterior means at the front, so anterior ischemic optic neuropathy refers to damage to the front part of the optic nerve, caused by an insufficient blood supply. The disease normally affects only one eye at first, giving rise to symptoms of dull, blurred vision. Although the condition is not fully understood, and there is no effective treatment, it does not usually worsen over time. The causes of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy are still being researched, but it is known that tiny blood vessels, called the posterior ciliary arteries, fail to supply enough blood to the optic nerve. This nerve carries information between the eye and the brain. It is possible that smokers and people with high blood pressure or diabetes may have an increased risk
