Non arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy

Welcome back, @weezy1939. I'd like to introduce you to new member @greyhound3 who has some questions for you. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification and see their message above. Greyhound asks: Did your vision loss come on simultaneously, or separately? and did it come gradually, quickly, or overnight?

Hi, @greyhound3, I lost most of my vision in right eye overnight in 2011. I lost my peripheral vision and all except upper right. Most of the time I forgot about the loss of vision in that eye except after almost two accidents I looked to my right several times at a stop sign.This past winter I lost vision in my left eye gradually and thought my lack of eyesight was due to cataracts which I do have. I don’t have any peripheral vision and can’t see under my nose . Please keep in touch as this condition seems to be extremely rare.

I lost vision in my left eye with an NAION event at the end of May. I have a severe cataract in my right eye (was just getting ready to have the cataract surgery when the NAION event occurred). I'm now considering having cataract surgery in December (6 months from the NAION event). I'm trying to determine what the level of risk is for kicking off and NAION event in my "good" (cataract) eye when I do the surgery. While my life is impacted, it would be much worse if I have an NAION event in my second eye. I've been trying to research about this - and am having challenges finding anything. I would appreciate any suggestions on where I may find information related to this, to help me in my final decision whether to have the cataract surgery or not. Thank you!

Hi @bgoren, I have reread you note many times trying to figure out how to answer you. I have NAION in both eyes and have cataracts.
I too have to make the decision if I should have them removed. My eye surgeon told me there is only a 1% chance something could go wrong and I have to make the decision whether to have it or not. I still can't decide. I read there is only a small chance of getting NAION in both eyes and it didn't happen to me for 8 years. In my right eye I have vision in upper right corner and in left eye I have vision in my lower left corner. It is amazing how a person can get use to the lax of sight. Have you been seen by a Mayo doctor or a eye surgeon?
They can give you an answer.

Hi, @weezy1939 and @bgoren - both of you were talking about considering the possibility of cataract surgery. What are your thoughts after more consideration?

@greyhound3 - what is next for your treatment for the non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) you mentioned?

@weezy1939 My next appointment is in mid-Dec and need to make a decision by then. This is my first winter coming up with loss of sight in both eyes and I am not looking forward to short days. I see so much better outdoors that I am going to go to Florida for a month late Jan. it is a resort that I have stayed at many times so familiar with it and area. If I have cataract surgery it would be more like March.

Thank you for your reply! I'm sorry to hear you have NAION in both eyes. I understand with NAION in one eye, there is 5% risk of kicking off NAION in my other eye when I have cataract surgery. This is not a high risk, but it is scary to consider. This is why I'm vacillating - should I have the cataract surgery or not?

I understand a cataract is also developing in my NAION eye. However, I have so little vision in that eye I'm not sure it is worth having the surgery for that eye.

@weezy1935 Hi I wanted to let you know that I had both eye cataract,s taken off. It was a easy operation .I was partially sedated and didn't see anything or felt that Dr was operating on me. When I recovered from the twilight sleep my friend and I went for lunch. You will have eyedrops that are necessary as they are antibiotic drops but its really no big deal. I was surprised at how much better I could see in fact I could drive my car without glasses but I need them for reading as I have astigmatism also.

I understand with NAION in one eye, there is 5% risk of kicking off NAION in my other eye when I have cataract surgery. This is not a high risk, but it is scary to consider. This is why I'm vacillating - should I have the cataract surgery or not? I'd like to hear of NAION patients who have had cataract surgery to learn from them.

I understand a cataract is also developing in my NAION eye. However, I have so little vision in that eye I'm not sure it is worth having the surgery for that eye.

Was anything special done to promote a good outcome for the cataract surgery considering you are an NAION patient?

Thank you for sharing your experience!