Ischemic optic neuropathy: a review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31288/oftalmolzh202466066

Keywords:

ischemic optic neuropathy, optic nerve, visual field, regional hemodynamics, electrophysiological assessment of visual function

Abstract

The review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, and clinical and diagnostic features of ischemic optic neuropathy. Special attention is focused on the hemodynamic and electrophysiological changes occurring in this disease and the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a potential diagnostic marker of optic nerve damage. The value of current diagnostic techniques (optical coherence tomography, regional hemodynamic studies and electrophysiological techniques) in providing accurate assessment of optic nerve damage is highlighted.
Methods: A literature review of 59 publications was conducted.

References

Miller NR, Arnold AC. Current concepts in the diagnosis, pathogenesis and management of nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Eye (Lond). 2015;29(1):65-79. https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2014.144

Morrow MJ. Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Continuum (MinneapMinn). 2019 Oct;25(5):1215-1235. https://doi.org/10.1212/CON.0000000000000767

Preechawat P, Bruce BB, Newman NJ, Biousse V. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients younger than 50 years. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Dec;144(6):953-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2007.07.031

Characteristics of Patients With Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Eligible for the Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Decompression Trial. Arch Ophthalmol. 1996;114(11):1366-1374. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1996.01100140566007

Biousse V, Newman NJ. Ischemic optic neuropathies. N Engl J Med. 2015;372:2428-2436. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1413352

Arnold AC. Pathogenesis of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol. 2003 Jun;23(2):157-163. https://doi.org/10.1097/00041327-200306000-00012

Tesser RA, Niendorf ER, Levin LA. The morphology of an infarct in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Ophthalmology. 2003 Oct;110(10):2031-5. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(03)00804-2

Salvetat ML, Pellegrini F, Spadea L, Salati C, Zeppieri M. Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a comprehensive overview. Vision (Basel). 2023 Nov 9;7(4):72. https://doi.org/10.3390/vision7040072

González Martín-Moro J, Contreras I, Gutierrez-Ortiz C, Gómez-Sanz F, Castro-Rebollo M, Fernández-Hortelano A, Pilo-De-La-Fuente B. Disc configuration as a risk and prognostic factor in NAION: the impact of cup to disc ratio, disc diameter, and crowding index. Semin Ophthalmol. 2019;34(3):177-181. Epub 2019 Jun 4. https://doi.org/10.1080/08820538.2019.1620792

Hayreh SS, Zimmerman MB. Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: refractive error and its relationship to cup/disc ratio. Ophthalmology. 2008 Dec;115(12):2275-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2008.08.007

Hayreh SS. Ischemic optic neuropathies: where are we now? Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2013 Aug;251(8):1873-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2399-z

Hayreh SS, Podhajsky PA, Zimmerman MB. Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: time of onset of visual loss. Am J Ophthalmol. 1997 Nov;124(5):641-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9394(14)70902-X

Hayreh SS. Ischemic optic neuropathy. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2009 Jan;28(1):34-62. Epub 2008 Nov 27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preteyeres.2008.11.002

Hayreh SS. Blood flow in the optic nerve head and factors that may influence it. Prog Retin Eye Res. 2001 Sep;20(5):595-624. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1350-9462(01)00005-2

Hayreh SS. Role of nocturnal arterial hypotension in the development of ocular manifestations of systemic arterial hypertension. CurrOpinOphthalmol. 1999 Dec;10(6):474-82. https://doi.org/10.1097/00055735-199912000-00017

Lee SSY, Nilagiri VK, Mackey DA. Sleep and eye disease: A review. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2022;50:334-344. https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.14071

Yang HK, Park SJ, Byun SJ, Park KH, Kim JW, Hwang JM. Obstructive sleep apnoea and increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Br J Ophthalmol. 2019;103:1123-1128. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312910

Chen T, Song D, Shan G, Wang K, Wang Y, Ma J, et al. The association between diabetes mellitus and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2013 Sep 30;8(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076653

Barroso F, Ribeiro JC, Miranda EP. Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors and visual side effects: a narrative review. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2021 Apr 29;16(2):248-259. https://doi.org/10.18502/jovr.v16i2.9088

Liu B, Zhu L, Zhong J, Zeng G, Deng T. The association between phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use and risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sex Med. 2018 Sep;6(3):185-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2018.03.001

Margo CE, French DD. Ischemic optic neuropathy in male veterans prescribed phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007;143:538-539. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2006.10.006

Danesh-Meyer HV, Levin LA. Erectile dysfunction drugs and risk of anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy: casual or causal association? Br J Ophthalmol. 2007 Nov;91(11):1551-1555. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2007.125880

Davies M, Pieber TR, Hartoft-Nielsen ML, Hansen OKH, Jabbour S, Rosenstock J. Effect of oral semaglutide compared with placebo and subcutaneous semaglutide on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2017 Oct 17;318(15):1460-1470. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.14752

Tan HC, Dampil OA, Marquez MM. Efficacy and safety of semaglutide for weight loss in obesity without diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc. 2022;37(2):65-72. https://doi.org/10.15605/jafes.037.02.14

Hathaway JT, Shah MP, Hathaway DB, Zekavat SM, Krasniqi D, Gittinger JW Jr, et al. Risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients prescribed semaglutide. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2024 Aug 1;142(8):732-739. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2024.2296

Hamann S, Malmqvist L, Wegener M, Fard MA, Biousse V, Bursztyn L, et al. Young adults with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: a multicenter optic disc drusen study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2020 Sep;217:174-181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2020.03.052

Pianka P, Almog Y, Man O, Goldstein M, Sela BA, Loewenstein A. Hyperhomocystinemia in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery occlusion and central retinal vein occlusion. Ophthalmology. 2000 Aug;107(8):1588-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(00)00181-0

Weger M, Stanger O, Deutschmann H, Simon M, Renner W, Schmut O, et al. Hyperhomocyst(e)inaemia but not MTHFR C677T mutation as a risk factor for non-arteriticischaemic optic neuropathy. Br J Ophthalmol. 2001 Jul;85(7):803-6. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.85.7.803

Biousse V, Kerrison JB, Newman NJ. Is non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy related to homocysteine? Br J Ophthalmol. 2000 May;84(5):555. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.84.5.554c

Arnold AC, Costa RM, Dumitrascu OM. The spectrum of optic disc ischemia in patients younger than 50 years. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc. 2013 Sep;111:93-118.

Hayreh SS, Podhajsky PA, Zimmerman B. Ipsilateral recurrence of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2001 Nov;132(5):734-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9394(01)01192-8

Newman NJ, Scherer R, Langenberg P, Kelman S, Feldon S, Kaufman D, Dickersin K. The fellow eye in NAION: report from the ischemic optic neuropathy decompression trial follow-up study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002 Sep;134(3):317-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0002-9394(02)01639-2

Marzoli S, Bianchi S, Criscuoli A. Pain in optic neuropathies. Neurol Sci. 2018;39(S1):25-31. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-018-3334-1

Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Decompression Trial Research Group. Optic nerve decompression surgery for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is not effective and may be harmful. JAMA. 1995 Feb 22;273(8):625-32. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.273.8.625

Hayreh SS, Zimmerman MB. Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: natural history of visual outcome. Ophthalmology. 2008 Feb;115(2):298-305.e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.05.027

Hashimoto H, Hata M, Kashii S, Oishi A, Suda K, Nakano E, Miyata M, Tsujikawa A. Analysis of retinal nerve fibre thickening in progressive and non-progressive non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy using optical coherence tomography. Neuroophthalmology. 2020;44(5):307-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/01658107.2020.1755991

Hayreh SS, Zimmerman B. Visual field abnormalities in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: their pattern and prevalence at initial examination. Arch Ophthalmol. 2005 Nov;123(11):1554-62. https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.123.11.1554

Cullen JF, Chung SH. Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION): outcome for visual acuity and visual field defects, the Singapore scene 2. Singapore Med J. 2012 Feb;53(2):88-90.

Patil AD, Biousse V, Newman NJ. Ischemic optic neuropathies: current concepts. Ann Indian Acad Neurol. 2022 Oct;25(Suppl 2). https://doi.org/10.4103/aian.aian_533_22

Hayreh SS, Zimmerman MB. Optic disc edema in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2007 Aug;245(8):1107-21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0494-0

DelMonte DW, Bhatti MT. Ischemic optic neuropathy. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2009 Summer;49(3):35-62. https://doi.org/10.1097/IIO.0b013e3181a8df6c

Pollock SC, Hubbe RE. Color vision in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2020 Jul 17;19:100823. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajoc.2020.100823

Lee TH, Heo H, Park SW. Clinical usefulness of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in glaucoma and NAION. Chonnam Med J. 2016 Sep;52(3):194-200. https://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2016.52.3.194

Contreras I, Noval S, Rebolleda G, Muñoz-Negrete FJ. Follow-up of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with optical coherence tomography. Ophthalmology. 2007 Dec;114(12):2338-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.05.042

Deleón-Ortega J, Carroll KE, Arthur SN, Girkin CA. Correlations between retinal nerve fiber layer and visual field in eyes with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2007 Feb;143(2):288-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2006.09.045

Larrea BA, Iztueta MG, Indart LM, Alday NM. Early axonal damage detection by ganglion cell complex analysis with optical coherence tomography in nonarteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2014 Nov;252(11):1839-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2697-0

Akbari M, Abdi P, Fard MA, Afzali M, Ameri A, Yazdani-Abyaneh A, et al. Retinal ganglion cell loss precedes retinal nerve fiber thinning in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. J Neuroophthalmol. 2016 Jun;36(2):141-6. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNO.0000000000000345

Atilla H, Tekeli O, Ornek K, Batioglu F, Elhan AH, Eryilmaz T. Pattern electroretinography and visual evoked potentials in optic nerve diseases. J Clin Neurosci. 2006 Jan;13(1):55-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2005.02.007

Parisi V, Gallinaro G, Ziccardi L, Coppola G. Electrophysiological assessment of visual function in patients with non-arteriticischaemic optic neuropathy. Eur J Neurol. 2008 Aug;15(8):839-45. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2008.02200.x

Fu Z, Li H, Wang Y. Implication of retrobulbar and internal carotid artery blood-flow-volume alterations for the pathogenesis of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. BMC Ophthalmol. 2021 Aug 25;21(1):309. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12886-021-02075-2

Kaup M, Plange N, Arend KO, Remky A. Retrobulbar haemodynamics in non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006 Nov;90(11):1350-3. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2006.093559

Kuerten D, Fuest M, Bienert M, Plange N. Retrobulbar and intraocular blood flow in anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy are linked to the functional impairment. Int Ophthalmol. 2019 Mar;39(3):597-604. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-018-0846-x

Wang JL, Wu DH, Li HY, Wang YL. Three-dimensional ophthalmic artery model reconstruction and assessment captured by computed tomographic angiography in non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy patients. Ann Transl Med. 2021 Mar;9(6):451. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-6883

Quigley HA, McKinnon SJ, Zack DJ, Pease ME, Kerrigan DF, Kerrigan RS, Mitchell RS. Retrograde axonal transport of BDNF in retinal ganglion cells is blocked by acute IOP elevation in rats. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000;41(11):3460-6.

Fudalej E, Justyniarska M, Kasarełło K, Dziedziak J, Szaflik JP, Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska A. Neuroprotective factors of the retina and their role in promoting survival of retinal ganglion cells: a review. Ophthalmic Res. 2021;64(3):345-55. https://doi.org/10.1159/000514441

Lambuk L, MohdLazaldin MA, Ahmad S, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Uskoković V, Mohamud R. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated neuroprotection in glaucoma: a review of current state of the art. Front Pharmacol. 2022 May 20;13:875662. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.875662

Pease ME, McKinnon SJ, Quigley HA, Kerrigan-Baumrind LA, Zack DJ. Obstructed axonal transport of BDNF and its receptor TrkB in experimental glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2000 Mar;41(3):764-74.

Feng L, Chen H, Yi J, Troy JB, Zhang HF, Liu X. Long-term protection of retinal ganglion cells and visual function by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in mice with ocular hypertension. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2016 Jul 1;57(8):3793-802. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.16-19825

Khramenko NI, Konovalova NV, Brain derived neurotrophic fator in patients with degenerative and inflammatory disordes 114 DOG Kongress DOG 201629.9-2.10. Berlin 2016.

Published

2025-01-06

How to Cite

1.
Chaban M. Ischemic optic neuropathy: a review. J.ophthalmol. (Ukraine) [Internet]. 2025 Jan. 6 [cited 2025 Jan. 8];(6):60-6. Available from: https://ua.ozhurnal.com/index.php/files/article/view/208