Causes and risk factors
Carotid artery is the main source of blood supply to the brain. When emboli from the carotid artery atherosclerosis breaks off and travel to any artery in the eye, it results in amaurosis fugax due to the decreased blood supply caused by the blockage. Risk factors for carotid artery- atherosclerosis include heart disease, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure.
Clinical presentation
Patient may complain of sudden temporary loss of vision which may last from a few seconds to even minutes. There is transient period of blindness. Patients often describe it as a curtain passing before the eye.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Detailed examination of the eye with the neurological examination is required. Imaging tests like carotid Doppler and magnetic resonance angiography may be needed to evaluate the presence of blockage in the carotid artery. Blood tests like blood sugar examination and cholesterol levels should be checked.
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the factors like the extent of blockage – Patients with more than 70% blockage of the carotid artery are eligible for surgery to remove the blockage; presence and severity of other medical problems; general health of the patient. If the patient is not a surgical candidate, treatment with blood thinning agent may be warranted. Patients who cannot undergo major surgery can be benefited by the new techniques such as stenting of the carotid artery and balloon angioplasty of the stenosis (blockage) in the carotid artery.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating amaurosis fugax. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the Ayurvedic system of medicine, which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates, are also found to be effective in treating amaurosis fugax.
