Title: Transient Blindness | Encyclopedia.com
Headings: Transient Blindness
Transient Blindness
Transient blindness
Definition
Description
Demographics
Causes and symptoms
Blood vessel blockage
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR
Damage to the eye
Nerve damage
Symptoms
Diagnosis
KEY TERMS
Treatment
Nutrition/Dietetic concerns
Prognosis
Prevention
Caregiver concerns
Resources
OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS

Content: Causes and symptoms
Transient blindness occurs for three main reasons: blockage of a blood vessel going to the eye, damage to the eye, or damage to the nerves that serve eye. Of these, blockage of the blood vessels going to the eye is the most common. Blood vessel blockage
Amaurosis fugax is the temporary loss of vision caused by debris in the circulatory system that blocks blood flow to the retina. Typically, only one eye is affected at a time. The blockage often occurs because a bit of plaque from atherosclerosis breaks off from the lining of a main artery and travels to a smaller artery that delivers blood to the retina. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which arteries narrow because of a build up of debris, called plaque, on the inside of the arterial walls. When loose bits of debris lodge in an artery, blood flow is severely restricted or stops, which causes the retina to be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. The retina then stops functioning and the person loses vision. If the blockage lasts only a short time, vision is lost only temporarily and returns when blood flow to the retina begins again.