Part I, An Introduction for Patients

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Sohan Singh Hayreh, MD, MS, PhD, DSc, FRCS, FRCOphth and Patricia A. Podhajsky, BSN

This article is intended to give basic information about ischemic optic neuropathy, which is sometimes called "stroke of the optic nerve" in lay persons' term. Ischemic optic neuropathy is one of the most common causes of loss of vision in persons past middle age. However, it does occur less commonly, in younger persons. Knowledge about this disease will enable patients and their doctors to work together to understand the disease. Early diagnosis, recognition of various risk factors, and carrying out the treatment and follow-up visits as recommended, are the most important aspects of care for persons with ischemic optic neuropathy. 

Part II: A Discussion for Physicians

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Sohan Singh Hayreh, MD, MS, PhD, DSc, FRCS, FRCOphth

Ischemic optic neuropathy constitutes one of the major causes of blindness or seriously impaired vision among the middle-aged and elderly population, although no age is immune. Its pathogenesis, clinical features and management have been subjects of a good deal of controversy and confusion.

PLEASE NOTE:

Dr. Hayreh does not give an opinion without personally examining a patient; he feels that to do so is unethical and also potentially dangerous.

The two articles are summaries of material published in peer-reviewed ophthalmic journals. For more detailed information, please refer to the papers in the bibliography and the various articles cited in those papers. Those may be found as references at the bottom of each of the articles.