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Updated: Nov 5, 2025
The Rodent Model of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy rNAION
Published on: November 20, 2016
Vitreoretinal Findings in Nonarteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Amir M Molaie1, Varsha Pramil, Thomas R Hedges
1Tufts University School of Medicine (AMM, VP, TRH, LT, LNV), Boston, Massachusetts; New England Eye Center (TRH, LNV), Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts; and Department of Neurology (TRH), Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Subretinal fluid is common in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Its resolution may improve visual acuity, though other retinal changes like intraretinal cysts and hyperreflective dots (HRD) have unclear implications in NAION patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Retinal Imaging
Background:
- Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is typically viewed as an optic nerve head disorder.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) reveals subretinal fluid in NAION, challenging this view.
- Further investigation into associated retinal and vitreous changes in NAION is warranted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate retinal and vitreous changes in patients diagnosed with NAION.
- To analyze the presence and distribution of subretinal fluid using OCT.
- To identify other vitreoretinal changes, such as vitreopapillary traction (VPT) and hyperreflective dots (HRD).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 25 eyes from 20 NAION patients presenting within 4 weeks of symptom onset.
- Evaluation using optical coherence tomography (OCT).
- Assessment for subretinal fluid, intraretinal cysts, hyperreflective dots (HRD), and vitreopapillary traction (VPT).
Main Results:
- Peripapillary subretinal fluid was observed in 64% of eyes, extending to the macula in 16%.
- Visual acuity improved in 50% of eyes with subfoveal fluid after its resolution.
- Intraretinal cysts were present in 32% and HRD in 44% of eyes; no VPT was detected.
Conclusions:
- Subretinal fluid is a frequent finding in NAION, confirmed by OCT.
- Resolution of subfoveal fluid may correlate with partial visual acuity recovery.
- The role of intraretinal cysts and HRD in NAION requires further study; VPT does not appear to be a primary factor.
