Vitreopapillary traction in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

ABSTRACT

To describe the association between vitreous traction on the optic disc and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [NAION]. Eighty three eyes of 83 patients with NAION were evaluated by optical coherence tomography [OCT] for detecting vitreous adhesion to the optic nerve head with separation from the adjacent retina [partial posterior vitreous detachment]. Eyes which were negative for such adhesion underwent ultrasonography to detect complete posterior vitreous detachment [PVD]. Fifty male and 33 female subjects with mean age of 51.9 +/- 10 years were studied. Partial PVD with optic nerve head adhesion was found in 54 patients [65.1%] using OCT. Ultrasonography detected complete PVD in all other eyes with optically empty spaces on OCT. Vitreous traction on the optic nerve head from partial PVD may play a causative role in some cases of NAION. This traction may impair vascular supply and/or axoplasmic flow leading to signs and symptoms of NAION