Hypoperfusion states could increase the risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a leading cause of acute optic nerve damage. While cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea are well-established, the association between NAION and states of hypoperfusion is underexplored. This study investigated this potential association.

This retrospective case-control study analyzed all electronic medical records of Clalit Health Services' patients from 2001 to 2022. Patients diagnosed with NAION were matched in a 1:4 ratio by year of birth and sex, using propensity score analysis to adjust for various comorbidities. Events of hypoperfusion occurring in the month prior to the diagnosis of NAION were categorized into two physiological mechanisms: a decrease in SVR and a decrease in cardiac output due to cardiac dysfunction or diminished preload (attributed to hypovolemia). Conditional logistic regression was used to explore differences between the groups.

A total of 1,374 patients diagnosed with NAION and 5,496 matched controls were included in the study. We found a nearly 6.5-fold increase in the likelihood of NAION in association with events of hypoperfusion that occurred in the month period preceding the diagnosis of NAION (odds ratio [OR] 6.48; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.05-8.32). In particular, the group of patients with cardiac dysfunction (OR 6.47; 95% CI: 4.63-9.04) and the group with hypovolemia (OR 6.1; 95% CI: 4.08-9.13) emerged as having the most substantial risk factors. The group with decreased Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR) (OR 4.64; 95% CI: 2.84-7.59) was also strongly related with NAION. Cerebrovascular accident emerged as an independent significant risk factor for NAION (OR 16.1; 95% CI: 10.8-24).

Hypoperfusion states are significant, independent risk factors for NAION.