Amaurosis fugax and temporal arteritis
Amaurosis fugax and temporal arteritis
Amaurosis fugax (am-oro-sis foo-gaks) is a sudden and usually temporary loss of vision, caused by reduction of the blood to the eye. Vision is diminished without warning, like a window shade being pulled down. The effect can last seconds, minutes or occasionally hours. It is not unusual for patients to awaken to discover the problem, which then clears in a few minutes.
This experience is almost always a symptom of a serious problem. The most common cause is vascular or heart disease. Small particles of artherosclerotic plaque or other foreign matter in the blood can temporarily block the opthalmic artery, the first branch of the internal carotid artery which supplies the eye.
Amaurosis fugax is also a symptom of temporal arteritis, a swelling of the arteries of the head which reduces blood supply. The swelling usually involves the temporal artery on the outside of the skull, and causes pain and headache. If the swelling affects the internal arteries, blood supply to the eye may be reduced, causing vision loss.
Acupressure for headaches
Here are lists of acupressure points for Headache > Base of skull, Headache > General, Headache > Front, Headache > Severe, Headache > Migraine on PointFinder.org.
If this is your first time, please read the instructions. Don’t use acupressure to replace standard emergency procedures or licensed medical treatment. If you are seriously injured or have acute symptoms seek urgent medical treatment.
LABELS:
Superficial temporal artery
Opthalmic artery
Internal carotid artery
External carotid artery
Text and illustrations by Kevin T. Boyd