has anyone improved from NAION

[ab312]

Has anyone ever improved from NAION?  What have they done that has worked?  Is there anything like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, light therapy, acupuncture or vision rehab that has worked?  we have been to see a neuro-ophthamologist, and have been through all the tests.  The only risk factor is sleep apnea.  

Any information would be helpful.
Thank you

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[Marble8]

You may want to visit the yahoo NAION user group.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/naion/?v=1&t=search&ch=web&pub=groups&sec=group&slk=1


You might find that there are no documented cases within that group that reports that their NAION has been corrected by any means.  Although the visual defect symptoms will improve, that seams to be related to the reduction of the swelling of the optic nerve and adaptation.

There is an excellent article written by Dr. Brian Younge which can be found here:


http://www.emedicine.com/oph/TOPIC161.HTM


Between those two and other articles, which you can do a search for, you will find much more information than you would expect to find on this board.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

I suggest you ask the CPAP question on a sleep apnea forum. I do know that some of the larger masks can cause drying of the eyes.

Although aspirin is over the counter you should discuss the dosage with his MD. It can run from a baby aspirin/day to 4 adult asprin/day.

My mother controled her blood pressure and took asprin and did not have it in the second eye.

If it happened right now I would suggest chewing an adult asprin and contacting your Eye MD immediately.

JCH MD

[ab312]

Thank you very much for your reply and your hopeful words!  It is very generous of you to share your personal story.  They are much needed at this time, as I know you understand.  

What did your mother do to help her eye?  Does she have it in both eyes?  Is there a better or worse aspirin dose?  Is there anything to do right away if it happens in the other eye?

My husband is exercising (he already was), and doesn't have the other risk factors.  He started using a CPAP machine (is there anything that can be a problem with that, or is there a better mask for it?).  

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Most cases of non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy improve on their own without any treatment. THere is no evidence based medicine studies that show that anything helps. Generally I advise: stop smoking, lose weight, exercise, treat high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol vigorously, take daily asprin.

If you have sleep apnea important to treat with CPAP.

My mother has NAION and made a full recovery from 20/200 vision right after it happened.

JCH MD