Neuro-ophthalmic aspects of vascular disease.

One of the most susceptible sites to vascular diseases is the optic nerve head. By innovative approaches using morphometry and in situ hybridization, vascular and extracellular characteristics of the human optic nerve head were examined. Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy occurs due to vascular insufficiency within the optic nerve head. Various local and systemic risk factors have been proposed among which smoking and acute hypotension are now included. Anatomically abnormal discs such as the small optic disc, tilted disc, and optic nerve drusen are recognized as "disks at risk" and hyperopia may be an additional predisposing factor. Ocular, neurological, and vascular disorders due to giant cell arteritis were reviewed. Intravenous high-dose methylprednine should be administered in certain cases. Differentiating nonarteritic from arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy is sometimes difficult. Isolated choroidal ischemia or choroidal filling delay may be an indication of giant cell arteritis. Studies have been conducted on the vascular event, amaurosis fugax (transient monocular visual loss), and the results of some of these studies are discussed.