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Question

One of the visual disturbances that can be seen with carotid atherosclerosis is transient, painless, monocular vision loss.

• What is this condition called?
• Why does it occur?

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Answer

1. Transient monocular vision loss is called amaurosis fugax
   • Amaurosis is Latin for darkening/dark/obscure
   • Fugux is Latin for fleeting
2. The most common cause of amaurosis fugax is ischemia from carotid artery atherosclerotic microemboli. The ophthalmic artery is the first branch off the internal carotid artery and gives rise to the central retinal artery, as well as the anterior and posterior ciliary arteries.
   1. Other causes include retinal vein occlusion, giant cell arteritis, optic neuropathy, papilledema, and retinal vasospasm

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