Nicht arterielle anteriore ischämische Optikusneuropathie

Abstract

Purpose. The case report describes the clinical approach to a patient with optic neuropathy in an optometric practice by simple yet valid methods which can be used auxiliary to standard procedures. Material and Methods. Funduscopy was performed via Volk 90D lens and slitlamp. Functional tests, such as visual acuity, pupil reactions, visual field assessment, colour vision, red saturation test, Pulfrich phenomenon and pupil cycle time test, were employed for their differential diagnosis value. Results. The visual acuity and central colour vision were nor- mal; the other tests revealed abnormal state of the patient‘s right eye or visual pathway. Ophthalmoscopy revealed a disc oedema in one half of the optic nerve head. After urgent referral with tentative diagnosis of optic neuropathy of un- known aetiology, a diagnosis of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION) was made at the eye hospital. Conclusion. In patients with sudden onset of monocular visual disturbances where no obvious lesions in visual axis are found various types of optic neuropathies are a frequent finding. Some of these conditions include systemic diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and some can be associated to life threatening diseases, such as giant cell arteritis. Keywords optic neuropathy, ischemic optic neuropathy, functional vision testing, visual field, giant cell arteritis