Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION): outcome for visual acuity and visual field defects, the Singapore scene 2

Cullen JF, Chung SHR
Correspondence: Dr James F Cullen, jbarrycullen@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
We report the six months follow-up findings in relation to visual acuity and visual field defects in a series of Singaporean patients with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy seen in the neuro-ophthalmology service of the Singapore National Eye Centre. 90% of the patients were Chinese, and the most common vascular risk factor was hypertension. Visual acuity was normal at the outset in 40% of cases and unchanged in 85%, and the assessment of visual acuity alone was not found to be a satisfactory method to determine prognosis. Visual field defects were found in all the  affected patients, the most common being in the inferior fields. After six months, visual field defects were found to be unchanged in 77% of cases,  improved in 15.5% and worse in 7.5%. Overall visual function (visual acuity plus visual field)  was unchanged in 81% of cases, and no patient had complete recovery.

Keywords: anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, hypertension, vascular risk factors, visual acuity, visual field
Singapore Med J 2012; 53(2): 88–90