Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in a Patient with Optic Atrophy After Non-arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy

A 75-year-old female noticed a lower visual field (VF) defect in the right eye. A diagnosis of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was made. The lower VF defect in the right eye did not change after onset. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiograms on the disc and the macula showed decreased retinal perfusion in the upper retina of the right eye. Retinal nerve fibre layer loss and ganglion cell complex loss in the upper retina were also seen in the right eye. OCT angiography could non-invasively detect the decrease of the retinal perfusion due to NAION.     

Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy in a patient with optic disc drusen

Background: Although visual field defects are well-known complications of optic disc drusen, reduction in visual acuity with this condition is rare. Method/Results: We report on a 68-year-old male with bilateral optic disc drusen who presented with monocular loss of vision in the right eye associated with an inferior altitudinal visual field defect and signs consistent with acute anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, confirmed on fluorescein angiography. He also had a left inferior nasal step, but no evidence of glaucomatous cupping. The disc drusen were documented clinically and on B scan ultrasound and computed tomography. Conclusions: The diagnosis of acute anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy should be considered in patients with optic disc drusen who present with reduced visual acuity, particularly when the visual loss has been acute and non-progressive and is associated with altitudinal field loss and characteristic fluorescein angiography signs.     

Hypovolemic ischemic optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic optic neuropathy refers to an acute event of ischemia, or decreased blood flow, to the optic nerve resulting in varying degrees of vision loss and visual field defects. Typically this disease affects the elderly population who experience systemic diseases that compromise the blood flow efficiency of the optic nerve head (e.g., giant-cell arteritis, hypertension, diabetes, etc.). However, cases of blood loss to the optic nerve, secondary to traumatic injuries or surgeries, have also been shown to result in ischemic optic neuropathy, regardless of age. It seems that in these cases, the resulting anemia and hypotension play contributing roles in the development of ischemic optic neuropathy. METHODS: A 41-year-old black man came to us with optic nerve head pallor O.S., count-fingers vision O.S., positive afferent pupillary defect O.S., and a central scotoma O.S. after being hospitalized and treated for a stab wound to his left neck that severed his left carotid artery at the bifurcation. RESULTS: This patient had been seen in the Optometry Clinic two years before the stab-wound incident. At that time, he had 20/20 vision in his left eye and no remarkable neurological deficits. His ocular presentation after the traumatic hypovolemic event was probably a direct result of the hypoperfusion to the left optic nerve head. This patient was diagnosed with a hypovolemic, or blood loss-related, ischemic optic neuropathy (O.S.). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who experience large amounts of blood loss due to trauma, surgery, internal bleeding, etc. and report vision loss should be screened for possible optic nerve ischemia. As eye care providers, when we are presented with patients who have optic nerve head atrophy, we should inquire about events that may have precipitated blood loss, potentially triggering ischemic optic neuropathy.     

Simultaneous Bilateral Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy and Unilateral Central Retinal Artery Occlusion after Hip Prosthesis Surgery

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) results from the ischaemia of the anterior part of the optic nerve. Postoperative NAION is especially related to spinal surgeries, cardiovascular surgeries, and head-neck surgical procedures. This paper reports a rare case with simultaneous bilateral NAION and unilateral central retinal artery occlusion after hip prosthesis surgery. A 63-year-old woman had sudden visual loss in both eyes after hip prosthesis surgery. Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc oedema and macular paleness, and dot-blot haemorrhage around the optic disc suggesting central retinal artery occlusion in the left eye. Sudden simultaneous loss of vision may appear after non-ocular surgical procedures. In this case, anaemia due to excessive blood loss and prolonged hypotension during hip prosthesis surgery was the probable cause of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and unilateral central retinal artery occlusion.     

Progressive visual loss. What type of mass lesion?

A 43-year-old woman presents with painless loss of vision in her left eye. She has decreased visual acuity, an afferent pupillary defect, slight proptosis and disc swelling, implying an optic nerve lesion. Computerized tomographic scanning shows generalized enlargement of the posterior orbital optic nerve. A presumed diagnosis of an optic nerve sheath meningioma is made. The discussion deals with the problems of rational treatment.     

Optic disc pit combining with an optic nerve cyst — A case report

Herein, we report a case presenting with the optic disc pit and optic nerve cyst coexistence. A 54-year-old female presented to our office with progressive blurred vision for up to 3 months in her left eye. Upon examination, the best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was 20/20 and in the left eye was 20/100. Fundoscopic examination revealed a black pit at the temporal margin of left optic disc without obvious macular edema. Findings were confirmed later with optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination. Further magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a well defined 6 mm x 6mm cystic lesion located at temporal aspect of left retro-bulbar optic nerve within the optic nerve sheath. Compression of left optic nerve was prominent. Visual evoked potential (VEP) test verified dysfunction of left optic nerve. She kept following up for 6 months. Neither maculopathy nor retinal edema occurred during this period. The visual acuity maintained 20/100 in her left eye. The size and location of optic disc pit remained as well. To sum up, in a patient with visual impairment combing with optic disc pit, further imaging surveys should be considered to exclude the possible coexistence of other optic nerve abnormalities.     

Bilateral Neuroretinitis in Cat Scratch Disease with Exudative,Obliterative Vasculitis in the Optic Disc

Abstract

A 29-year-old fisherman exhibited optic disc oedema and peripapillary retinal detachment in the right eye, whereas in the left eye, optic atrophy and intraretinal exudates were already observed on first examination. About 6 months earlier, he noticed blurred vision of the left eye but took no medication. Visual acuity was 0.4 OD and 0.01 OS. Perimetry showed a large lower-half field defect with sparing 10° central field in the right eye and a large central scotoma in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography showed existence of arteriole or capillary nonperfusion and hyperpermeability of surrounding capillaries. Since serological examinations showed positive Bartonella immunoglobulin G (IgG) and other causes of neuroretinitis (NR) were excluded, NR in the present case was caused by cat scratch disease (CSD). Optic atrophy appeared 2 weeks after onset. Optical coherence tomography 13 weeks after onset revealed severe loss of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) superior and nasal to the optic disc in both eyes and temporal in the left eye. Visual acuity of the right eye improved to 1.2 by the treatment, whereas visual field defects were persistent. CSD-NR in the present case developed abrupt appearance of optic atrophy with severe RNFL loss in the right eye, which was elicited by exudative, obliterative vasculitis in the superficial layer of the optic disc.     

Bilateral Neuroretinitis in Cat Scratch Disease with Exudative,Obliterative Vasculitis in the Optic Disc

A 29-year-old fisherman exhibited optic disc oedema and peripapillary retinal detachment in the right eye, whereas in the left eye, optic atrophy and intraretinal exudates were already observed on first examination. About 6 months earlier, he noticed blurred vision of the left eye but took no medication. Visual acuity was 0.4 OD and 0.01 OS. Perimetry showed a large lower-half field defect with sparing 10° central field in the right eye and a large central scotoma in the left eye. Fluorescein angiography showed existence of arteriole or capillary nonperfusion and hyperpermeability of surrounding capillaries. Since serological examinations showed positive Bartonella immunoglobulin G (IgG) and other causes of neuroretinitis (NR) were excluded, NR in the present case was caused by cat scratch disease (CSD). Optic atrophy appeared 2 weeks after onset. Optical coherence tomography 13 weeks after onset revealed severe loss of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) superior and nasal to the optic disc in both eyes and temporal in the left eye. Visual acuity of the right eye improved to 1.2 by the treatment, whereas visual field defects were persistent. CSD-NR in the present case developed abrupt appearance of optic atrophy with severe RNFL loss in the right eye, which was elicited by exudative, obliterative vasculitis in the superficial layer of the optic disc.     

Optociliary shunt vessels in compressive optic neuropathy by the intracranial internal carotid artery.

PURPOSE: To report a clinical case of optic nerve compression by supraclinoidal internal carotid artery associated with optociliary shunt vessels. METHODS: A 78-year-old woman with the clinical triad of left visual loss, ipsilateral optic disc pallor, and retinochoroidal (optociliary) shunt vessels is reported. She complained of loss of vision in the left eye of 2 years' duration. RESULTS: A diffuse depression of the visual field was found in the affected eye. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed left optic nerve compression by the supraclinoidal internal carotid artery. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of optociliary shunt vessels, visual loss, and optic atrophy is a nonspecific sign of chronic optic nerve compression and in some instances may be falsely localized.     

Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Optic Tract Syndrome

Background Optic tract syndrome (OTS) is characterized by incongruous homonymous hemianopia and a perpendicular pattern of bilateral optic atrophy due to the optic tract lesion. However, loss of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) associated with OTS has not been quantitatively assessed.Case A 20-year-old woman with blunt head trauma showed normal visual acuity, color vision, ocular motility, and intraocular pressure. Because of a relative afferent pupillary defect in her left eye and left-sided homonymous hemianopia, we suspected right-sided optic tract damage, although magnetic resonance imaging detected no intracranial lesion.Observations Using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the RNFLT of this case was measured at 31 months after the trauma and compared with age-matched normal controls (n = 41). Nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior quadrant RNFLT was reduced by 22%, 21%, 5%, and 46% in the right eye and 76%, 64%, 25%, and 27% in the left eye, respectively. The reduction was > 3 × the standard deviation of the normal mean values in the nasal and temporal quadrants of the left eye and in the inferior quadrant of the right eye.Conclusions OCT can determine the RNFLT reduction corresponding to the characteristic patterns of optic atrophy of OTS. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2005;49:294–296 © Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2005     

A Case of Decreased Visual Field after Uneventful Cataract Surgery: Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

The purpose of this article is to report a case of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) after uneventful cataract surgery. A 53-year-old Filipina underwent cataract surgery. She had a small optic disc with cup-to-disc ratio of 0.2 in the left eye and 0.3 in the right eye. On the first postoperative day, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/20, with an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 20 mmHg in the left eye. At one week after operation, the UCVA was 20/20 and the IOP was 15 mmHg. Three weeks later, she underwent cataract surgery in the right eye. On the first postoperative day, her UCVA was 20/20 in both eyes, but she complained of a visual field decrease in the left eye. A relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) was noted and the optic disc was pallid and swollen diffusely. A red-free photo showed defect surrounding the optic disc. A visual field test showed tunnel vision sparing the central vision. In this report, the authors hypothesize an association between cataract extraction and delayed NAION. Since the risk of NAION in the fellow eye is 30-50%, visual acuity, visual field, fundus exam and RAPD should be routinely checked.     

Optical coherence tomography of superior segmental optic hypoplasia

AIM: To describe optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of superior segmental optic hypoplasia (SSOH). METHODS: Five patients (two men and three women, ages 10-45 years) presented with ophthalmoscopic features and visual field defects of SSOH. All affected eyes had good visual acuity and inferior altitudinal or inferonasal visual field loss. The mothers of three patients had type 1 diabetes mellitus. OCT (Humphrey Instrument, CA, USA) was used to evaluate tomographically the optic disc and peripapillary retina of both eyes of each patient. Control data on retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness were obtained from 13 normal eyes, one eye each from 13 normal subjects. RESULTS: Seven of 10 eyes in patients had SSOH. Scans in the vertical meridian through the affected optic discs showed a superior defect of the optic disc associated with decreased RNFL thickness and, in some cases, an abnormal extension of a complex of retinal pigment epithelium and choroid over the edge of the lamina cribrosa. Circular scans around the seven optic discs revealed various decreases of peripapillary RNFL thickness in the superior quadrants. Vertical scans through the fovea also showed superior thinning of RNFL. Quantitative assessment of the peripapillary RNFL thickness revealed significantly decreased values in the superior quadrants compared to normal eyes. CONCLUSIONS: OCT provides a new tool for quantitative evaluation of optic nerve hypoplasia as exemplified in this study of SSOH. It can reveal minimal degrees of segmental hypoplasia previously undetected.     

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in congenital/long-standing homonymous hemianopia

PURPOSE: To report abnormalities of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with trans-synaptic degeneration. DESIGN: Observational case reports. METHODS: Two patients with congenital/long standing occipital lobe lesions who had asymptomatic homonymous hemianopic field defects were examined using OCT. RESULTS: In case 1, there was loss of RNFL in the projection of the nasal hemifovea temporally and the horizontal projection nasally in the right eye and thinning in the superior and inferior temporal arcades in the left eye corresponding to visual field abnormalities. In case 2, abnormalities in the RNFL pattern corresponded to the visual defects even though the field defect was incomplete. CONCLUSION: OCT measurements of the RNFL provide useful information in the diagnosis of congenital/long standing occipital lobe lesions.     

At this junction…

An 81-year-old woman developed painful vision loss to hand motions in the right eye over a several-day period. Dilated fundus examination revealed no acute pathology, but automated perimetry showed a superotemporal visual field defect in the asymptomatic left eye, suggestive of a junctional defect. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enhancement of the right optic nerve extending to its junction with the optic chiasm. The patient's vision failed to improve with intravenous corticosteroids, but demonstrated significant improvement with therapeutic plasma exchange. She was subsequently found to be seropositive for aquaporin-4 autoantibodies, confirming the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder.     

Optic disk edema as a presentation of Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis

PURPOSE: To report a patient with an initial presentation of optic disk edema secondary to Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis. METHODS: Interventional case report. The patient had surgery and treatment related to endophthalmitis. Nine months after cataract surgery with posterior chamber lens implant, a 79-year-old man receiving topical corticosteroids in the same eye presented with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/60, a superior visual field defect, and optic nerve edema without intraocular inflammation. One year postoperatively, the eye presented a further decrease in best-corrected visual acuity, and a dense white plaque was noted on the posterior capsule. RESULTS: One year postoperatively, a partial capsulectomy with vitrectomy and injection of intravitreal antibiotics was performed. Hematoxylin and eosin stain of the posterior capsule plaque revealed gram-positive coccobacilli characteristic of P. acnes. CONCLUSION: Propionibacterium acnes endophthalmitis may present after cataract surgery with intraocular lens implant with decreased vision, optic disk edema, and a visual field defect.     

Functional and structural analysis of partial optic nerve avulsion due to blunt trauma: case report

Partial optic nerve avulsion (ONA) secondary to finger gouging is an uncommon but devastating injury. A 21-year-old man who had an acute vision loss after accidentally getting poked by himself in his right eye when he fell down during jogging is reported. The patient was diagnosed with partial ONA. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intact optic nerve. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed deep cavity at the inferior-temporal half of the optic disc. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was also thin at the inferior quadrant with circumpapillary OCT scan. Visual field test and electrophysiological tests showed functional abnormality compatible with optic nerve lesion. Diagnostic tools for anatomical and functional evaluation may reveal the course of this injury.     

Laser in situ keratomileusis-induced optic neuropathy

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of bilateral optic neuropathy after bilateral laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. DESIGN: Observational case report. METHODS: Complete eye examination with detailed evaluation of the optic nerve, detailed medical history, stereo disc photographs, GDx Nerve Fiber Analyzer testing, Humphrey 24-2 SITA visual field testing, diurnal intraocular pressure measurement, serologic evaluation, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbits. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Optic nerve status, visual field status, and visual acuity. RESULTS: A subject with previously healthy optic nerves had bilateral optic neuropathy develop after LASIK surgery. This neuropathy manifested with a subjective decrease in visual field, normal visual acuity, normal color vision, relative afferent pupillary defect, increased cupping of the optic nerve with focal neuroretinal rim defects, decreased nerve fiber layer thickness, and nerve fiber bundle-type visual field defects. The subject had no other risk factors for optic neuropathy. No other cause of neuropathy was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Optic neuropathy is a potential vision-threatening complication of LASIK surgery. This complication may be due to barotrauma or ischemia related to extreme elevation of intraocular pressure by the suction ring. Careful examination of the optic nerve before and after LASIK surgery is warranted.     

Anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy in a patient with optic disc drusen.

BACKGROUND: Although visual field defects are well-known complications of optic disc drusen, reduction in visual acuity with this condition is rare. METHOD/RESULTS: We report on a 68-year-old male with bilateral optic disc drusen who presented with monocular loss of vision in the right eye associated with an inferior altitudinal visual field defect and signs consistent with acute anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, confirmed on fluorescein angiography. He also had a left inferior nasal step, but no evidence of glaucomatous cupping. The disc drusen were documented clinically and on B scan ultrasound and computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of acute anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy should be considered in patients with optic disc drusen who present with reduced visual acuity, particularly when the visual loss has been acute and non-progressive and is associated with altitudinal field loss and characteristic fluorescein angiography signs.     

Optical coherence tomography in a patient with tobacco-alcohol amblyopia

AIM: To report optical coherence tomography (OCT) finding in a patient with tobacco-alcohol amblyopia.METHODS: A 45-year-old man presented with a gradual decrease in vision over 4 years. He had smoked a half to one pack of cigarettes per day and had consumed 350 cc of gin per day for 30 years. A detailed ophthalmologic examination was performed.RESULTS: His corrected visual acuities were 20/800 OD and 20/200 OS. A Goldmann visual field examination showed ceco-central scotomas in both eyes. OCT using a peripapillary Fast RNFL (retinal nerve fiber layer) programme showed a small decrease in the RNFL thickness of the superotemporal quadrant in the normative diagram of the right eye in spite of a markedly increased RNFL thickness in both eyes.CONCLUSION: During the phase of visual loss in a patient with tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, visual loss may precede optic disc changes as detected by OCT.     

Retinal nerve fibre layer attenuation: clinical indicator for vigabatrin toxicity

Purpose: To investigate whether persistent visual field defects among patients exposed once to the antiepileptic drug vigabatrin (VGB) were associated with peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (RNFLT) attenuation. Methods: Nine individuals with partial epilepsy and VGB‐attributed visual field loss (group 1; 18 eyes) and seven age‐ and gender‐matched individuals with epilepsy and no previous VGB exposure (group 2; 14 eyes) were included in the study. Full‐field 120 point screening perimetry out to 60 degrees from central fixation using the Humphrey Field Analyzer was performed. RNFLT was quantified by optical coherence tomography (OCT) using Fast RNFLT protocol, Stratus OCT (3.0) after pupillary dilation. The results from the right eye are presented in this article. Results: Among the patients with VGB‐attributed visual field loss, five patients had only peripheral field defect (group 1a) and the remaining four had advanced field defects both in the periphery and within 30° from central fixation (group 1b). None of the patients in the control group had manifest visual field loss. The mean RNFLT among the patients with VGB‐attributed visual field loss was significantly attenuated compared to the controls [mean total RNFLT: group 1: 75.6 ± 12.7 μm, group 2: 103.5 ± 9.7 μm, mean difference 27.9 μm, (CI 15.9–39.9; p < 0.001)]. RNFLT values classified as borderline according to normative database (Stratus OCT) occurred more frequently among individuals with VGB‐attributed visual field loss than in controls (frequency in group 1: 6/9; group 2: 0/7, p = 0.011). The nasal, superior and inferior quadrants of RNFLT in individuals with VGB‐attributed visual field loss were significantly attenuated, while no difference was detected in temporal quadrants compared to controls. Both individuals with peripheral and those with advanced visual field losses in the VGB group had attenuated mean total RNFLT compared to controls (p = 0.006, p = 0.002, respectively). Occurrence of borderline classification of total RNFLT ≤5th percentile was more frequent among individuals with advanced visual field loss than among controls (p = 0.048). Conclusion: Persistent visual field loss attributed to VGB is associated with reduced peripapillary RNFLT and was detected both among patients with advanced and among patients with only peripheral visual field defects. Measurements of RNFLT with OCT might be considered as a diagnostic supplement in the follow‐up of patients exposed to vigabatrin.