Amaurosis fugax challenges: best met by multispecialty approach to management

Abstract

1. Amaurosis fugax (AF) refers to transient, reversible loss of vision, typically monocular and of short duration. 2. Patients with AF present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, frequently requiring a multispecialty approach to management. It is important to determine whether or not there is an ocular cause of the problem. 3. In the absence of eye findings to explain the symptoms, the internist must direct the workup toward cardiogenic hypotension, migraine, carotid or vertebral-basilar artherosclerotic disease, cardiac embolic disorder, and other potential causes.