Ipsilateral Ophthalmic Artery Stenosis in Amaurosis Fugax: A Case Report

Introduction: Amaurosis fugax is caused by an abrupt reduction of blood flow to the retina. Determining the etiology of amaurosis fugax should ensure proper management. Case Report: A 47-year-old female patient who had the first episode of amaurosis fugax in her right eye was referred to our hospital. The amaurosis fugax resolved spontaneously, however, we found a 3 mm long stenosis at her right ophthalmic artery during magnetic resonance angiography. She had clinical histories of untreated hypertension and dyslipidemia. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) was suspected and unfractionated heparin, aspirin, antihypertensive agent, and statin were given. Treatments were maintained, the symptoms had not recurred in the following 6 months after the event. Discussion: Stenosis of the ophthalmic artery is very rare. It occurs in approximately 2% of patient suffering from amaurosis fugax. In our case, stenosis of the right ophthalmic artery due to thromboembolism might cause retinal ischemia leading to a transient visual loss. Conclusion: This case suggests stenosis of ophthalmic artery as the cause of amaurosis fugax. Keywords: amaurosis fugax, ipsilateral, ophthalmic artery, stenosis

Carotid artery stenosis, an underestimated cause of stroke recurrence in patients with ischaemic monocular visual loss

Introduction Isolated monocular ischaemic events are thought to be low risk for stroke recurrence. In the presence of carotid stenosis however, the risks should not be treated similarly and surgical intervention should be considered at an early stage. The aim of this study was to determine the vascular risk profile and stroke recurrence in patients with ischaemic monocular visual loss. Methods and methods Consecutive records for all patients with monocular ischaemia were reviewed from January 2014 to October 2016. Stroke, transient ischaemic attack or monocular ischaemia recurrence within 90 days were recorded. Carotid stenosis was assessed with duplex ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography. Results In total, 400 patients presented with monocular ischaemia; 391 had carotid imaging (97.8%). Causality was symptomatic carotid stenosis ≥ 50% in 53 (13.6%), including carotid stenosis ≥ 70% in 31 (7.9%). Patients with permanent visual loss (n = 131) were more likely to have significant stenosis compared with patients with transient visual loss (n = 260), 19.8% compared with 10.4% (P = 0.012). Recurrent stroke, transient ischaemic attack or monocular ischaemia within 90 days after presentation occurred in three patients (5.7%) in the carotid stenosis group, compared to three (0.9%) who did not have stenosis (P = 0.035). Age, male sex and hypertension were associated with carotid stenosis but hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes and smoking were not. Conclusions Carotid stenosis ≥ 50% is present in patients with ocular ischaemia in approximately 20% of those with persistent visual loss and in 10% with transient visual loss. Those with carotid stenosis have a higher risk of stroke recurrence and should be considered urgent surgical intervention as other forms of stroke.

TRANSIENT BILATERAL VISUAL LOSS PADA PASIEN DENGAN DECOMPRESSION SICKNESS TIPE II

Latar Belakang: Transient visual loss adalah hilangnya tajam penglihatan mendadak baik parsial maupun komplit pada satu atau kedua mata yang terjadi kurang dari 24 jam. Decompression sickness terjadi apabila gelembung gas (bubble) yang terbentuk pada saat tubuh mengalami penurunan tekanan ambient secara mendadak pada pembuluh darah (intravaskular), sistem muskuloskeletal, atau jaringan tubuh lainnya menimbulkan suatu gejala. Bubble di intravaskular dapat mengakibatkan obstruksi vaskular, menghambat aliran darah dan menyebabkan iskemia. Iskemia pada daerah occipital akan menyebabkan terjadinya transient bilateral visual loss. Kasus: Pasien laki-laki berusia 23 tahun dengan keluhan penglihatan kabur yang terjadi mendadak setelah pasien naik ke permukaan dari kegiatan menyelam sedalam ± 5 meter selama 1 menit. Pasien dengan riwayat menarik napas dalam dan cepat beberapa kali sebelum melakukan free diving. Tajam penglihatan kedua mata pasien saat di rumah sakit adalah 4/60. Pemeriksaan segmen anterior dan posterior kedua mata dalam batas normal. Dilakukan terapi oksigen hiperbarik. Tajam penglihatan kedua mata pasien membaik menjadi 6/6 setelah terapi. Diskusi: kasus transient bilateral visual loss pada pasien dengan iskemia occipital post free diving dicurigai disebabkan oleh adanya sumbatan intravaskular oleh bubble yang terbentuk pada decompression sickness. Diagnosis decompression sickness ditegakkan secara klinis dan dapat dipastikan bila gejala membaik setelah pemberian terapi rekompresi. Terapi oksigen hiperbarik merupakan terapi pilihan pada semua kasus dengan riwayat terpapar lingkungan hiperbarik atau kondisi unpressurized high-altitude. Mencegah terbentuknya bubble dalam tubuh adalah dengan menghindari faktor risiko terbentuknya bubble dan mematuhi cara naik ke permukaan (ascending) yang benar setelah diving. Kata Kunci: Buta Mendadak Sementara, Decompression Sickness, Penyelam