Ischemic optic neuropathy associated with retinal embolism

Ischemic optic neuropathy occurred in three patients (a 55-year-old man and two women, 64 and 68 years old). Visual loss followed coronary bypass surgery in two patients who also had diffuse atherosclerotic disease. Retinal emboli were present in both eyes of each. The third patient developed ischemic optic neuropathy with evidence of ipsilateral retinal emboli shortly after cardiac catheterization. Her only other risk factor for ischemic optic neuropathy was systemic hypertension. Although highly unusual, ischemic optic neuropathy may be associated with and possibly caused by a shower of emboli to the eye.