Amaurosis Fugax Definition, Causes & More
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Amaurosis fugax describes transient vision loss in one or both eyes, when vision is lost for a temporary period under 24 hours, usually lasting a few seconds to few minutes. This is caused by a lack of blood flow to the retina.1‘Amaurosis Fugax: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.’ MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000784.htm.
Amaurosis fugax is not itself a disease, but a symptom of other conditions. It is often one of the first signs of a stroke, so individuals experiencing vision loss should always seek out medical care immediately, even if no other symptoms are present during the loss of vision. While some causes, like migraines, are relatively benign, other causes are more serious.
