NONARTERITIC ISCHEMIC OPTIC NEUROPATHY - THE IMPACT OF TOBACCO USE

Background: Numerous associations to anatomic variation and systemic v ascular disease have been made to anterior ischemic optic neuropathy ( AION) but exogenous agents have not been emphasized. The authors studi ed the effect that smoking had in the development of AION. The relevan ce of other intraocular and systemic vascular disease to AION also is discussed. Methods: Over a 10-year period (January 1980-May 1990), non arteritic AION was diagnosed in 148 patients, 137 of whom were include d in this analysis. Findings: Of the 137 patients identified with nona rteritic AION, 28 smokers were statistically younger, at 51 years of a ge, compared with 83 nonsmokers whose mean age was 64 years (P = 0.005 ). Conclusions: Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor in the d evelopment of AION. Cessation of smoking appears to reduce the risk of AION to that of the nonsmoking population.