Ischemic optic neuropathy is infarction of the optic disk. It can be arteritic or nonarteritic. The only constant symptom is painless vision loss. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment for the nonarteritic variety is ineffective. Treatment for the arteritic variety does not restore vision but can help protect the unaffected eye.

Two varieties of optic nerve infarction exist: nonarteritic and arteritic.

The nonarteritic variant occurs more frequently, typically affecting people about 50 years and older. Vision loss tends not to be as severe as in the arteritic variant, which usually affects an older group, typically about 70 years and older.

Most ischemic optic neuropathy is unilateral. Bilateral, sequential cases occur in about 20%, but bilateral simultaneous involvement is uncommon. Bilateral involvement is much more common among arteritic than nonarteritic cases.

Atherosclerotic narrowing of the posterior ciliary arteries may predispose to nonarteritic optic nerve infarction, particularly after a hypotensive episode. Any of the inflammatory arteritides, especially giant cell arteritis, can precipitate the arteritic form.

Acute ischemia causes nerve edema, which further worsens ischemia. A small optic cup to optic disk ratio is a risk factor for nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy but not for the arteritic variety. Usually, no medical condition is found as the apparent cause of the nonarteritic variety, although factors contributing to atherosclerosis (eg, diabetes, smoking, hypertension), obstructive sleep apnea, certain drugs (eg, amiodarone, possibly phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors), and hypercoagulable disorders are present in some patients and are thought to be risk factors. Vision loss on awakening leads investigators to suspect nocturnal hypotension as a potential cause of the nonarteritic variety.

Symptoms and Signs

Vision loss with both varieties of optic nerve infarction is typically rapid (over minutes, hours, or days) and painless. Some patients notice the loss on awakening. Symptoms such as general malaise, muscle aches and pains, headaches over the temple, pain when combing hair, jaw claudication, and tenderness over the temporal artery may be present with giant cell arteritis; however, such symptoms may not occur until after vision is lost. Visual acuity is reduced, and an afferent pupillary defect is present.

The optic disk is swollen and elevated, and the swollen nerve fibers obscure the fine surface vessels of the optic nerve. Often hemorrhages surround the optic disk. The optic disk may be pale in the arteritic variety and hyperemic in the nonarteritic variety. In both varieties, visual field examination often shows an altitudinal and/or central defect.

Diagnosis

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, and complete blood count (CBC)

Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if vision loss is progressive

Diagnosis of optic nerve infarction is based mainly on clinical evaluation, but ancillary testing may be needed. Most important is to exclude the arteritic variety because the other eye is at risk if treatment is not started quickly. Immediate tests include ESR, CBC, and C-reactive protein. ESR is usually dramatically elevated in the arteritic variety, often exceeding 100 mm/hour, and normal in the nonarteritic variety. CBC is done to identify thrombocytosis (> 400 × 103/mcL), which adds to the positive and negative predictive value of using ESR alone.

If giant cell arteritis is suspected, temporal artery biopsy should be done as soon as feasible (at least within 1 to 2 weeks because effects of the prednisone therapy may reduce the diagnostic yield of histopathology). Changes in C-reactive protein level are useful for monitoring disease activity and the response to treatment. For isolated cases of progressive vision loss, CT or MRI should be done to rule out compressive lesions.

For nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, additional testing may be indicated based on the suspected cause or risk factor. For example, if patients have excessive daytime sleepiness or snoring or are obese, polysomnography should be considered to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. If patients have vision loss on awakening, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring can be done.

Prognosis

There is no effective treatment for the nonarteritic variety of optic nerve infarction; however, up to 40% of patients spontaneously recover some useful vision.

In the arteritic variety caused by giant cell arteritis, losses of visual acuity and visual field are typically greater. Prompt treatment does not restore lost vision in the affected eye but protects the unaffected eye. Inadequate treatment risks relapses and additional vision loss.

Treatment

Corticosteroids and tocilizumab for the arteritic variety

The arteritic variety is treated with oral corticosteroids (prednisone 80 mg orally once a day and tapered based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate) to protect the other eye. If vision loss is imminent, intravenous corticosteroids should be considered. Treatment should not be delayed while awaiting the biopsy procedure or its results. Early results from clinical trials show that tocilizumab improves glucocorticoid-free remission when compared to corticosteroids only in giant cell arteritis (1). Treatment of the nonarteritic variety with aspirin or corticosteroids has not been helpful. Risk factors are controlled. Low-vision aids (eg, magnifiers, large-print devices, talking watches) may be helpful in both types.

Conclusion

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