What are the Treatment Options for Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (AION)?
September 4, 2010
My Father has been diagnosed for the second time with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION). The first time was 9 years ago and he lost 95% of his vision in that eye. He was not put on any pills and there was no follow up or therapy. This time even with his history they disregarded his concerns until 8 days into the problem. He is now on prednisone for a month. He is again, about 95% blind in that eye, now as well. Is there any hope that since he is on prednisone that his condition will improve somewhat? Is there anything else that can be done? We are at a loss as to what to do. He has been told nothing will change, and in fact has not been seen by the doctor since he was put on the pills 10 days ago.
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2 Responses to “What are the Treatment Options for Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (AION)?”
I suffered AION in left eye in 2006 and right eye in 2009. This loss of vision is caused by a lack of oxygen to the optic nerve and the steroids are given to possibly decrease the amount of time of oxygen deprivation. I have not seen anything written that indicates the use of a hyperbaric chamber at first symptom. Lack of oxygen is causing the damage and a hyperbaric chamber would increase oxygen. Is this just too easy an answer? Please review. It might help me when I have the next episode.
for typical aion, nothing can be done, and it would have made absolutely no difference if treated promptly- sorry.
if he has the arteritic variety, then he might get a little better with prednisone. but i doubt he has the arteritic variety-he would have gotten blind in the second eye soon after the first. 9 years between episodes almost certainly means it is not arteritic. the prednisone he is getting now is just a desperate measure taken by your doctor–i’m afraid it will do no good. i am so sorry- aion is an awful disease. there is about a 5% risk per year that the second eye gets involved, no matter what. so i am not surprised he got it 9 years later.
the only thing that might have reduced his risk was to stop smoking, exercise, and maintain excellent cholesterol, sugar and blood pressure. thats it.
