Amaurosis fugax Health Dictionary

Brief loss of vision, lasting for seconds or minutes, usually affecting one eye only and caused by the temporary blockage of a small blood vessel in the eye by emboli (particles of solid matter such as cholesterol or clotted blood).

These are carried in the bloodstream from diseased arteries in the neck or, rarely, the heart.

Attacks may be infrequent or they may occur many times a day.

This symptom indicates an increased risk of stroke and requires medical investigation.

Sudden transitory impairment, or loss, of vision. It usually affects only one eye, and is commonly due to circulatory failure. In its simplest form it occurs in normal people on rising suddenly from the sitting or recumbent position, when it is due to the effects of gravity. It also occurs in migraine. A not uncommon cause, particularly in elderly people, is transient ocular ISCHAEMIA, resulting from blockage of the circulation to the retina (see EYE) by emboli (see EMBOLISM) from the common carotid artery or the heart. Treatment in this last group of cases consists of control of the blood pressure if this is raised, as it often is in such cases; and the administration of drugs that reduce the stickiness of blood platelets, such as aspirin. In some instances, removal of the part of the carotid artery from which the emboli are coming may be indicated.