Treatment of Vasospastic Amaurosis Fugax with Calcium-Channel Blockers

Abstract

Amaurosis fugax, a brief loss of vision in one eye, is caused by hypoperfusion of the retinal circulation. If an attack of amaurosis is prolonged, the patient is at risk of permanent visual loss. Since the 1950s, amaurosis fugax has usually been attributed to embolism from the heart or great vessels1 or to carotid occlusive disease. Because of the difficulty in differentiating between these and other causes, amaurosis fugax remains a therapeutic challenge. Depending on the patency of the internal carotid arteries, the principal treatments are anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy2 and carotid endarterectomy3. Vasospasm is rarely reported as a . . .