4- Ophthalmology (Transient visual symptoms) Flashcards
Transient visual symptoms last how long
lasts <24 hours
- Migraine
- Amaurosis fugax
- Papilledema
migraine background
- Complex neurological condition that cause headache and other associated symptoms including aura
types of migraine
- Migraine without aura
- Migraine with aura
- Silent migraine (migraine with aura but without a headache)
- Hemiplegic migraine
triggers of migraine
Triggers
- Stress
- Bright light
- Strong smells
- Chocolate, caffeine, wine
- Dehydration
- Menstruation
- trauma
pathophysiology of migraine
No simple explanation
Presentation of migraine
- Typical headache symptoms
o Mod to severe
o Pounding or throbbing
o Usually unilateral
o Photophobia
o Phonophobia
o With or without aura
o Nausea and vomiting - Aura
o Sparks in vision
o Blurring vision
o Lines across vision
o Loss of different visual fields
Acute management of migraine
- Paracetamol
- Triptans (sumatriptans 50mg as the migraine starts)
- NSAIDS
- Antiemetics e.g. metoclopramide
Prophylactic management of migraine
- Propranolol
- Topiramate (teratogen)
- Amitriptyline
- Acupuncture
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Amaurosis fugax
Background
- Means ‘transient darkening’ -> temporary loss of vision through one eye, which returns to normal afterwards
- Also known as retinal transient ischaemic attack
- Due to transient ischaemia and may be a feature of embolic, thrombotic, vasospastic or haematological problems
amaurosis fugax risk factors
- Most common in adults >50
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Tobacco
- Cocaine use
- Hypertension and hyperlipidaemia
Pathophysiology of amaurosis fugax
- Most commonly associated with thrombotic vascular events originating from the internal carotid arteries -> possible warning sign for an impending stroke
- Leads to hypoperfusion of the retina -:> most often a atherosclerotic emboli
Causes amaurosis fugax
- Transient ischaemic attacks e.g. if a small blood clot or cholesterol plaque, which ahs broken off from a diseased blood vessel and has passed through the circulation at the back of the eye
- Giant cell arteritis
- Takayasu’s arteritis
- Sickle cell disease
- Carotid artery stenosis
Investigations for amaurosis fugax
- Eye examination
- Blood tests e.g. FBC< blood glucose, lipid levels
- Doppler US and angiography
presentation of amaurosis fugax
Presentation
- Shutter coming down across vision or curtains coming acrosse eye
- Sudden
- Can last from a few minutes to a couple of hours
- Painless
management of amaurosis fugax
Management
- Control and treat underlying vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia
- Anticoagulants e.g. aspirin and clopidogrel
- Carotid stenosis stenting/ endarterectomy