Clarifying the treatment of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Article Abstract:
A careful scientific study revealed that optic nerve decompression is an ineffective treatment for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which prevented the procedure's entrenchment in clinical medicine. NAION is a common eye disease in the elderly characterized by sudden vision loss in one eye and swelling of the optic disc. Optic nerve decompression is a surgical procedure used to reduce pressure around the optic nerve. This technique was first used in 1989 and is the only therapeutic intervention for NAION. In 1992, researchers initiated a rigorous scientific study of patients with NAION to evaluate the effectiveness of optic nerve decompression. Only 32.6% of surgically-treated patients compared with 42.7% of patients who received standard nonsurgical observation were able to read an additional three lines on a vision chart six months after treatment. More surgically-treated patients had diminished vision at the six-month follow-up.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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Visual Loss in Giant Cell Arteritis
Article Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis (GCA) should be considered in all middle-aged and elderly patients who develop sudden visual disorders. GCA is an inflammation of medium and large arteries and can affect arteries in the eye. GCA can cause permanent visual loss in 15% to 20% of patients. Patients suspected of having GCA should have a thorough eye exam. The most definitive diagnostic test is a biopsy of part of an artery, usually the temporal artery on the side of the head. Corticosteroids are the most common treatment to prevent and sometime reverse visual loss.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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Risk of multiple sclerosis after optic neuritis
Article Abstract:
Not all people with optic neuritis will develop multiple sclerosis even though optic neuritis is considered an early sign of multiple sclerosis. In a study of 388 people with optic neuritis, more than 40% did not develop multiple sclerosis even after 10 years. This study also found that immunosuppressive drugs may not benefit patients with optic neuritis unless they have other risk factors for multiple sclerosis. Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve in the eye.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 2003
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