Predictive effect of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy on the development of cerebral small vessel disease: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to determine the correlation between cerebral small vessel diseases (SVDs) and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Additionally, investigate whether NAION raises the risk of an increased total cerebral small vessel disease score (CSVD score) compared to control group without ocular conditions.

METHODS

101 controls without any retinal illness and 61 individuals with NAION were enrolled for this retrospective case control study. Ophthalmic examinations and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed on all participants. Data on demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained from hospital medical records. We evaluated and compared the distribution of SVDs and rated the total CSVD score based on SVD indications observed on MRI scans.

RESULTS

SVDs were more frequently in NAION individuals than in control group (82%,  < 0.001), and their odds ratio was 4.11 (95%CI: 1.93-8.79,  < 0.001). The ordinal logistic regression showed patients in NAION group had 3.08-, 5.66- and 2.90-times higher risk than in control group, at each point of the white matter hyperintensity (WMH) score (95%CI: 1.43-6.79,  = 0.003), perivascular spaces (PVS) score (95%CI: 2.31-14.9,  < 0.001) and CSVD score (95%CI: 1.32-6.51,  = 0.005) respectively. Dyslipidemia presented a higher risk in the presence of SVDs ( = 0.008, OR = 2.31, 95%CI: 1.20-4.44) and WHM score ( = 0.018, OR = 2.22, 95%CI: 1.07-4.70). There was no significant difference between NAION group and controls in sex, age, or other past medical characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The predictive effect of NAION on SVDs is possible as NAION patients have an increased risk with SVDs. Brain MRI scans and the control of risk factors associated with SVDs should be recommended for individuals who develop NAION.