Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Neuro-Ophthalmic Conditions (Video)

There has been an emerging interest in the link between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and ocular health over the last decade. Though the evidence for OSA playing a role in cerebrovascular disease risk seems clear, the same cannot be said for optic neuropathies. The association between OSA and glaucoma or non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) may be secondary to either direct hypoxia or to vascular dysregulation, either systemically or at the optic nerve head itself. Papilledema and increased intracranial pressure are also reported in OSA patients and are postulated to be due to increased cerebral perfusion pressure and cerebral venous dilation secondary to hypoxia and hypercapnia. Competencies Addressed: Medical Knowledge; Patient Care; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Systems Based Practice