Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah
Abstract
Non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), the most common cause of acute optic nerve disease in the elderly causes permanent and severe visual loss through decreased central visual acuity, peripheral visual field loss, or both. No proven treatment currently exists to reverse or arrest this loss. NAION strikes both eyes in up to 40% of affected patients. 4 To date, incidence and prevalence data have not been available; however, data collected by Dr. Kelman from a sample of U.S. neuro-ophthalmologists has suggested that 6,100 ner cases are seen each year in the U.S., or an annual incidence of 2.44 per 100,000.CLiond