Fluorescein Angiography of the Disc in Non-arteritic Ischemic Neuropathy

Retrospective analysis of fluorescein angiographic findings was performed in an unselected group of 10 patients with non-arteritic anterior is hemic optic neuropathy (AI ON). Inclusion criteria included age > 60, unilateral swollen disc and fundus appearance compatible with AION, visual field loss, normal sedimentation rate, and lack of signs and/or symptoms suggestive of temporal arteritis. All angiograms were performed using the same protocol, with the first photos taken 13 seconds after beginning the injection and subsequent photos taken each second for the next20 seconds. Later photos were taken 60 sec, 120sec, and 300sec post-injection. Contrary to previously published studies, delayed or hypo- perfusion of an ischemic segment of disc and/or peripapillary choroid was a relatively rare finding. The most common abnormality, occurring in virtually every patient, was the presence of a discrete segment of intense hyperfluorescence.