The risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease in patients with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
D. R. Guyer, N. R. Miller, C. L. Auer and S. L. Fine
Of 217 patients in whom anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) was
diagnosed during the period from 1975 to 1985, verifiable medical
information was obtained for 212 (98%). Over a median follow-up period of
three years, no group of patients had an increased mortality rate over that
of age-, sex-, and race-matched controls; however, patients with
"idiopathic" AION and patients with systemic hypertension who developed
nonarteritic AION had a statistically significant increased risk of
experiencing cerebrovascular events and myocardial infarctions compared
with appropriately matched control groups. In view of the findings of our
study, we suggest that patients with idiopathic AION and hypertensive
patients who develop nonarteritic AION undergo a complete physical
examination, cardiac evaluation, tests of carotid artery patency, and
careful medical follow-up to attempt to prevent subsequent cerebrovascular
or cardiovascular events.
