Joy Sheril R. Penilla
Department of Health Eye Center-East Avenue Medical Center, Philippines
Title: Optic neuropathy secondary to a dolichoectatic arterial compression of the prechiasmal optic nerve
Biography
Biography: Joy Sheril R. Penilla
Abstract
The objective of this paper is to present an unusual case of bilateral optic atrophy secondary to a dolichoectatic arterial compression of the prechiasmal optic nerve. Optic neuropathy is a frequent cause of vision loss. Internal carotid artery dolichoectasia is rare, and can compress on the optic nerve resulting to eventual loss of vision. This is an observational case report; seen in a national eye referral center of a developing country. The patient is a 50-year old female from Albay with a history of loss of vision on the left eye. Patient was evaluated to have bilateral optic neuropathy caused by compressive effect of a dolichoectatic internal carotid artery, as revealed by magnetic resonance imaging. Optic atrophy due to dolichoectatic anomaly is uncommon, but should be considered on a patient with unexplained progressive vision loss. Clinical suspicion of this disease entity is highly warranted after more common causes of optic nerve atrophy have been excluded. MRI with MRA confirms the diagnosis for possible neurosurgical intervention.