Amaurosis fugax

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Retina

Amaurosis fugax involves loss of vision in one eye caused by a temporary lack of blood flow to the retina.

Transient monocular blindness

Amaurosis fugax is thought to result from a clot of plaque in the carotid artery breaking off and traveling to the retinal artery in the eye. This blocks the artery for a time and causes loss of vision in that eye for as long as its blood supply is cut off.

Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries (in the neck) is the main risk factor for this condition. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include heart disease , high cholesterol , smoking, diabetes , and high blood pressure .

Review Date: 09/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.