Amaurosis Fugax: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Cost

A medical disorder called amaurosis fugax results in temporary blindness in one eye.

Amaurosis Fugax is classified into four major types based on the location of the ocular artery blockage which includes:-

• Central Amaurosis Fugax: This type of amaurosis fugax occurs when the ocular artery is blocked in the central artery of the retina.
• Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion (BRAO): BRAO occurs when there is blockage in one or more branch retinal arteries. . The patient may also experience colour desaturation and difficulty distinguishing between light and dark areas within his or her sight.
• Ophthalmic Artery Occlusion (OAO): OAO results from blockage in one or more branches of the ophthalmic artery that supplies blood to parts of the eye such as the optic disc and macula.
• Specific Ischemic Stenosis Syndrome (SISS): SISS occurs due to narrowing at specific points within one or more branches of major retinal arteries throughout both eyes often resulting from atherosclerosis disease processes leading to an increased potential for developing thrombosis along with amaurosis fugax episodes due to fluctuating perfusion pressures in affected vessels over time ultimately leading to permanent ischemia within affected tissues..

• When the blood supply to the eye is momentarily cut off, amaurosis Fugax develops.
• The most common cause of this condition are atherosclerotic plaques which can block major arteries delivering blood to the eyes and optic nerves resulting in a partial or total loss of vision in one eye (monocular blindness).
• Other causes can include a blocked retinal artery, embolic sources, giant cell arteritis, and thrombotic disorders.
• Traumatic head injury, migraine headaches, and straining during bowel movements can all trigger Amaurosis Fugax as well.

• Loss of vision in one eye that is sudden and only brief.
• Partial or total vision loss, lasting a few seconds to minutes.
• Occurrence of a region that is either blurry or black in the middle of the field of vision.
• Blind spots in peripheral vision that increase with movement of the eye.
• Partial or total blind spots caused by eye fatigue or pressure on the retina caused by certain medications.
• Mild to severe pain around the affected eye during an episode of amaurosis fugax.

• Consume a balanced diet that includes foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, including salmon and leafy greens, for example.
• Exercise regularly, to help manage risk factors like high blood pressure.
• Maintain healthy cholesterol levels by avoiding saturated fats and trans fats.
• Stop smoking and cut down on your alcohol use because doing any of these things might raise your chance of developing amaurosis fugax.
• In order to avoid an aggravation of the symptoms associated with amaurosis fugax, it is important to properly manage any pre existing illnesses, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or an underlying eye problem (such as cataracts).
• Control cholesterol levels by taking prescribed medications or making lifestyle changes (e.g., reducing salt intake).
• Have regular eye examinations at least once every two years to detect early signs of any problems that could lead to Amaurosis Fugax or other vision problems, so they can be addressed early on with appropriate treatment options if needed

• Visual acuity test:This test is used to measure how well a patient can see and identify different shapes or letters at a distance.
• Fundus examination:This exam looks for any abnormalities in the back of the eye, such as haemorrhages, swelling, or discoloration.
• Fluorescein angiography:It is a diagnostic procedure that involves the use of a specialised dye in order to capture photographs of the retina and the blood vessels that are located in the back of the eye.It helps identify any blockages or other problems that may be causing vision loss.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT):OCT scans use light waves to create an image of the layers of tissue in the back of the eye. It can help diagnose retinal diseases such as macular degeneration or glaucoma that may be causing amaurosis fugax.
• Electrophysiological testing:This type of testing measures electrical activity in the eyes, which can help diagnose problems with nerve cells that could be causing vision loss from amaurosis fugax.

• Visual disorientation and confusion:Gradual loss of vision can lead to poor judgement and lack of awareness, resulting in increased risk of accidents and falls.
• Amaurosis Fugax typically results in momentary blindness that can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. This type of visual loss can occur at any time during the disease.
• Development of permanent blindness:Rarely, Amaurosis Fugax may lead to permanent vision loss if the underlying cause is not treated properly or in time.
• Impact on psychological well being:The sudden blindness coupled with the fear of being permanently blind can have an adverse psychological effect on patients suffering from Amaurosis Fugax.

• Applying castor oil over the eyes: Applying warm castor oil on the eyelids twice a day helps improve circulation and relax the vessels of the eyes
• Triphala decoction: Make a decoction from 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder, and boil it in 4 parts water till only one remains, then cool and use as drops or wash your eyes with it every morning.
• Camphor drops: You can add 1 drop of camphor oil to each eye followed by an eyewash three times a day to help improve eyesight.
• Amruthaballi juice: Drinking 2 teaspoons of Amruthaballi juice daily helps to improve vision and prevent vision disorders like amaurosis fugax.
• Gotu Kola leaves: Boil 5-10 leaves of Gotu Kola in 2 cups of water until it reduces to half cup, strain and drink this remedy twice a day for best results

• Leafy Greens: Eating leafy greens like spinach, kale and chard can help reduce the risk of amaurosis fugax, as they are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin.
• Fruits: Eating a variety of fruits can help protect against amaurosis fugax, as they are full of antioxidants which promote eye health.
• Fish: Eating fish such as salmon and sardines regularly is good for eye health, as it provides essential fatty acids which can reduce inflammation and improve vision overall.
• Nuts and Seeds: As nuts and seeds include a wealth of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the health of the eye, including them in your diet may help lower your chance of developing amaurosis fugax. Nuts and seeds include almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
• Grains Whole: The vitamins A, C, and E, as well as the zinc, that are found in whole grains all contribute to maintaining healthy vision. If you want to get more of the healthy nutrients, brown rice is a better choice than white rice.

• Foods high in fat and cholesterol:Eating foods high in fat and cholesterol such as fried foods, fatty meats, whole milk dairy products, and processed snacks can cause fatty deposits to build up in arteries leading to the eye, which can increase the risk of developing amaurosis fugax.
• Trans fats:Trans fats are a type of unhealthy fat that is found in certain processed foods such as fried foods, baked goods, snack foods, and margarine. These fats have been linked to an increased risk of developing amaurosis fugax.
• Salt:Eating too much salt can cause a buildup of fluid in the body which can also affect blood vessels leading to the eyes and increase your risk of amaurosis fugax.
• Alcohol:Alcohol consumption can have a damaging effect on your eyesight over time so it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol or keep it minimal if you have had episodes of amaurosis fugax before or are at an increased risk for it due to age or other medical reasons.

• Retrobulbar injection:a needle is inserted in the back of the eye to inject a corticosteroid or anti-inflammatory into the muscle around the optic nerve to reduce inflammation that may be causing amaurosis fugax
• Laser treatment:precision laser treatments can help break up cholesterol deposits on small vessels in the eye leading to improved blood supply
• Optic nerve decompression surgery:surgically opening up the optic nerve sheath can help restore and improve central vision affected by amaurosis fugax
• Vitrectomy surgery:removing part of the vitreous humour and scar tissue from the eye can relieve pressure on an injured optic nerve and restore vision

It is essential that you seek the advice of a neurologist if you are suffering symptoms of amaurosis fugax.

A neurologist is a type of medical specialist that specialises in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the nervous system, such as those that affect the eyes and the brain.

Your symptoms can be diagnosed with the aid of a neurologist, who can also advise you on the therapy that will be most effective.

• Antiplatelet medications:Examples include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), and ticagrelor (Brilinta). These medications are effective because they stop platelet cells in the blood from adhering to one another and creating clots, which can prevent blood from reaching the eye and cause blindness.
• Alpha blockers:Examples include doxazosin, prazosin, and tamsulosin. Alpha blockers help to relax the vessels in the eye and reduce pressure within them to improve blood flow.
• Statins:Examples include lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and simvastatin (Zocor). Statins can lower cholesterol levels, which helps reduce atherosclerosis that can block artery walls leading to partial or complete blockage of blood supply which is a common cause of amaurosis fugax.
• Anticoagulants:Examples include warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin. These medications cause an anticoagulant effect in the body so that there is less tendency for clot formation which could lead to occlusion of blood vessels leading to amaurosis fugax episodes.
• Anti-anginals:Examples include nitrates such as nitroglycerin or isosorbide dinitrate as well as calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine or diltiazem. These medications help improve coronary artery health by dilating arteries and decreasing preload, thus reducing workload on heart muscles so that it can pump more efficiently while supplying adequate oxygen content in blood reaching all organs including eyes

Recovery from Amaurosis Fugax generally occurs within minutes to days after the initial episode is over.

Most patients will recover full vision with no lasting effects.

In some cases, a temporary mild scotoma can occur following the episode, which typically resolves within 24 hours.

No, the effects of therapy are not going to last forever. Depending on the type of treatment and the individual, some treatments may have long-lasting effects, while others may need to be repeated periodically to maintain results.

• After treatment for amaurosis fugax, it is important to follow up with regular appointments with an ophthalmologist in order to monitor any changes in vision or other symptoms.
• Other treatments, such as lifestyle changes and medications, may also be recommended in order to reduce the risk of further visual disturbances or a potential stroke.
• Patients may be advised to exercise regularly, quit smoking if they are smokers, maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels through a diet low in saturated fats and rich in vegetables and fruit, manage stress levels effectively and reduce the consumption of alcohol.
• It is also important for patients to get enough sleep each night; seven to eight hours is typically recommended for adults. If necessary, prescribers can recommend an absolute rest period of 24-48 hours following episodes of amaurosis fugax or after TIA or stroke interventions.
• In some cases, medication such as aspirin may be prescribed if there are indications that the amaurosis fugax episodes were caused by arterial blockage due to thrombosis (blood clots).

The cost typically ranges from ₹6,000 to ₹20,000 depending on the complexity of the case.

This cost covers the diagnosis procedure and medication required to treat the disease.

Possible side effects of Amaurosis Fugax treatments include blurred vision, headaches, and temporary blindness in one eye.

Treatments may also cause dizziness, fatigue, dry eyes, double vision, dark spots in vision and swelling of the optic nerve.

Other potential side effects include increased sensitivity to light and ocular inflammation.

Amaurosis Fugax is a medical ailment in which a person suffers from a temporary loss of vision in one eye. This condition affects one eye only. The blockage can be caused by an embolism, a clot, or other debris. Treatment for Amaurosis Fugax typically involves medication to reduce the risk of further blockages or surgery to remove the obstruction.