Amaurosis fugax

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In medicine, amaurosis fugax is an episode of transient partial or complete monocular blindness, associated with hypoperfusion of the retinal circulation.[1]

While it is often associated with an embolus of the carotid artery, it also may be due to vasospasm.[2] It may be a warning sign for impending stroke. Since it is defined as transient, the diagnosis is usually from history alone, although vascular imaging may confirm underlying stenosis or plaque.

References

  1. Gino A Farina, Angel Feliciano, Nicholas Y Lorenzo (March 17, 2009), "Sudden Visual Loss", eMedicine
  2. Jacqueline Winterkorn, Mark J. Kupersmith, Jonathan D. Wirtschafter, and Scott Forman (August 5, 1993), "Treatment of Vasospastic Amaurosis Fugax with Calcium-Channel Blockers", New England Journal of Medicine 329 (6): 396-398