Take the Quiz - Get 20% OFF
Free shipping on orders over $50
Corneacare Logo
  • Shop
    • Shop All Products
    • Eyelid Hygiene
    • Eye Vitamins
    • Eye Drops
    • Eyecare Bundles
  • Education
    • Dry Eye Disease
      • Dry Eye 101
      • Causes & Diagnosis
      • Treatment
      • Lifestyle
      • Why It Matters
    • Eye Health & Wellness
    • Eye Glossary
    • Take The Quiz
  • Gift Guide
  • App
  • Shop Our Products
    • Shop All Products
    • Eyelid Hygiene
    • Eye Vitamins
    • Eye Drops
    • Eyecare Bundles
  • Education
    • Dry Eye
      • Dry Eye 101
      • Causes & Diagnosis
      • Treatment
      • Lifestyle
      • Why It Matters
    • Eye Health & Wellness
    • Eye Glossary
    • Take the Quiz
  • App
  • Contact Us
  • Take the Quiz

Eyecare at your fingertips. Take control of your eye health

Log In
Login
Logout
0
Take the Quiz
  • Shop
  • Quiz
  • Education
  • Gift Guide
  • Shop
  • Quiz
  • Education
  • Gift Guide
  • Shop Wholesale
  • Our App
  • Education
  • Shop Wholesale
  • Our App
  • Education

A-Z Glossary

Table of Contents

Eye Stroke

Courtney Dryer, OD
Written byCourtney Dryer, OD
  • Last updated March 6, 2023

What is an Eye Stroke?

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), also called an eye stroke, is a dangerous condition that occurs secondary to a lack of sufficient blood flow to the tissues of the optic nerve. ION is divided into anterior and posterior forms by the presence or absence of optic disc swelling, respectively. Ischemic optic neuropathies (IONs) are the most frequent acute optic neuropathy in patients older than 50 years. 

Key Takeaways

  • An eye stroke, also called ischemic optic neuropathy, is a dangerous condition caused by a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve.
  • Eye stroke risk factors include age, cardiovascular disease, or a small, crowded optic nerve.
  • If one eye has an eye stroke, there is a 30% chance of an eye stroke in the fellow eye so cardiovascular disease control is key.
Take our AI Powered Eye Quiz
Take the quiz
GET 20% OFF

Understanding an Eye Stroke

Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) describes a state of hypoxic injury of the optic nerve. While an eye stroke can occur from a total blockage of the blood vessel that supplies the optic nerve, it is more commonly caused by a lack of blood in the eye tissue. If the nerve tissue is damaged due to a lack of nutrients and oxygen, sudden vision loss may occur. 

Risk Factors for an Eye Stroke

Age is the most important risk factor for an eye stroke. Only 10% of those who suffer from an eye stroke are under the age of 45. Cardiovascular disease is the second most important risk factor. In some patients with cardiovascular disease, blood pressure falls significantly while sleeping. Low blood pressure reduces circulation through arteries, increasing the risk of an eye stroke. 

A small, crowded optic nerve is also a risk factor. In a small optic nerve, the nerve fibers that connect the eye to the brain become crowded within the disc increasing the risk of occlusion.

Symptoms of Eye Stroke

The symptoms of an eye stroke occur quickly and without pain. Symptoms include:

  • Loss of vision in one eye upon waking
  • A dark shadow in the upper/lower half of the visual field
  • Loss of visual contrast
  • Light sensitivity

Diagnosing Eye Stroke

An eye stroke can be diagnosed by an eye exam. An eye doctor will check your central and peripheral vision. By dilating your eyes, they are able to view the retina, and the optic nerve and compare the affected eye to the normal eye. A doctor will also review your medical history and ask about cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol. 

Eye Stroke Treatment

Steroids improve vision in individuals who have had an eye stroke if they are initiated quickly after the incident. Corticosteroids reduce the leaking of blood vessels, and improve swelling and circulation. Sometimes glaucoma drops will be prescribed to improve blood flow to the optic nerve. There is some early research on neuro-protection medications that may regenerate nerve fibers to the optic nerve, but there is not any conclusive evidence. Controlling cardiovascular disease is important as there is a 30% chance that an eye stroke can occur in the other eye.

Sources

  1. Eye Stroke. Penn Medicine. Retrieved October 27, 2022 from https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/eye-stroke
  2. Fontal MR, Kerrison JB, Garcia R, Oria V. Ischemic optic neuropathy. Semin Neurol. 2007 Jul;27(3):221-32. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-979686. PMID: 17577864.
  3. Patel HR, Margo CE. Pathology of Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2017 Jan;141(1):162-166. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2016-0027-RS. PMID: 28029908.

 

Related Terms

Loading...

Puncta

play an important role in tear drainage. Puncta can be occluded to treat dry eye disease and may improve symptoms

Blepharoconjunctivitis

is an eye condition that combines blepharitis and conjunctivitis

Fluorescein Angiography

is a procedure where a fluorescein dye solution is injected into the blood vessels of the arm

Drusen

is an accumulation of cellular debris underneath the retina

Stye

is an inflamed oil gland on the margin of the eyelid around the eyelashes

Limbus

is the border between the clear part of the eye (cornea) and the white part of the eye (sclera)

Related Articles

Loading...
  • Causes & Diagnosis

Eye Exercises for Double Vision 

5 min read

Discover effective eye exercises for double vision and how they may help improve vision, strengthen eye muscles, and restore clarity.
Picture of Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Eye Health & Wellness

Can Sinus Pressure Cause Eye Pain?

6 min read

Sinus pressure can cause eye pain, blurry vision, and strain. Learn how to relieve symptoms and protect your eye health.
Picture of Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

  • Eye Health & Wellness

How to Lighten Eye Color: Get the Facts

6 min read

Learn how to lighten eye color, discover how it works, explore various methods, and get essential eye care tips to keep your vision healthy and bright.
Picture of Heather Cottrell

Heather Cottrell

CorneaCare Logo Pink


  • Shop
  • Wholesale
  • Education
  • Community
  • App
  • Eye Glossary
  • Shop
  • Wholesale
  • Education
  • Community
  • App
  • Eye Glossary
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Wholesale
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Wholesale
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Wholesale
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Education
  • Shop
  • Wholesale
  • Contact
  • Terms of service
  • Privacy policy
  • Shipping & Returns
Instagram Facebook Icon Youtube Twitter Tiktok

Copyright – © 2024 CorneaCare, Inc. ⚡️ All rights reserved

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease

Wholesale inquiry

Please fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.



Sample inquiry

Please share your address where samples should be sent and what you are interested in trying.