What is amaurosis fugax?
The retina in your eye is like the film inside a camera. The retina “takes the picture” of objects you look at and sends the message to the brain. The retina is a living tissue, which requires blood supplied by tiny vessels called arteries. If a retinal artery becomes blocked, it causes a sudden black-out of vision in one eye that may last minutes to hours. This symptom is called amaurosis fugax (pronounced, “am-a-ro-sis fyoo-jacks”).
What causes amaurosis fugax?
Amaurosis fugax (AF) is usually caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the eye from a piece of hardened artery in the neck (carotid artery) that breaks away and flows “down stream” to lodge in a small retinal artery. Abnormal tissue from a heart valve may also be the source of retinal artery blockage. Rarely, an interruption of blood flow to the eye may result from blood disorders or inflammation.
What is to be done?
First and foremost, a prompt eye exam is required to make an accurate diagnosis. Sometimes, intra-ocular hemorrhage, migraine, or retinal artery vasospasm may simulate amaurosis fugax. These other diagnoses are managed differently. If amaurosis fugax is confirmed, then evaluation is undertaken to find the cause of the blocked blood supply to the eye (retina or optic nerve). If the loss of vision is recent, the need for testing may be an emergency.
The reason for laboratory and x-ray testing is to identify treatable conditions that might cause stroke or permanent loss of vision if left untreated.
Where do I go for urgent care?
An urgent MRI brain scan (diffusion-weighted imaging) may be performed at a stroke center such as those available through the emergency room at Adventist Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, or Tampa General Hospital. The brain scan can identify strokes that may be present without symptoms. Such strokes need to be treated in the hospital to prevent complications of paralysis and death.
Other important studies may also be performed to identify underlying treatable conditions. Blood tests may identify giant cell arteritis, a treatable inflammation of the arteries. A carotid sonogram studies the circulation of major arteries in the neck that lead to the brain and eyes. An ECHO cardiogram may identify an abnormal heart valve or a blood clot in the heart. These findings may be treatable to reduce the risk of future stroke.
Adventist Hospital Emergency Department
3100 East Fletcher Avenue
Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 971-6000
St. Joseph’s Hospital Emergency Department
3001 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 870-4000
Tampa General Hospital Emergency Department
1 Tampa General Circle
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 844-7000
For a telemedicine consultation with Dr Pautler, please send email request to spautler@rvaf.com. We accept Medicare and most insurances in Florida. Please include contact information (including phone number) in the email. We are unable to provide consultation for those living outside the state of Florida with the exception of limited one-time consultations with residents of the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Minnesota, and Washington.
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