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Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:879-882 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.087452
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy is nearly systematically associated with obstructive sleep apnoea

  1. K Palombi1,
  2. E Renard1,
  3. P Levy2,3,
  4. C Chiquet1,
  5. Ch Deschaux2,3,
  6. J P Romanet1,
  7. J L Pépin2,3
  1. 1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital, Grenoble, France
  2. 2Sleep Laboratory and EFCR, University Hospital, Grenoble, France
  3. 3HP2 Laboratory, INSERM ERI 0017 (Hypoxia: Pathophysiology), Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble, France
  1. Correspondence to: Jean-Louis Pépin Laboratoire du sommeil, EFCR, CHU de Grenoble, BP 217X, 38043, Grenoble Cedex 09, France; jpepin{at}chu-grenoble.fr
  • Accepted 5 March 2006
  • Published Online First 23 March 2006

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate newly diagnosed non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) patients for the existence of an associated sleep apnoea syndrome.

Methods: Newly identified NAION patient underwent polysomnography. The prevalence of sleep apnoea in NAION patients was compared to the prevalence previously found in the general population. Hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, and atheromatous lesions of carotid vessels as classic risk factors associated with NAION were also identified.

Results: 27 consecutive newly diagnosed NAION patients (18 men and nine women, mean age 65 (SD 8) years, body mass index 27.2 (3.8) kg/m2) were included in the study. 24 of these 27 NAION patients (89%) exhibited a sleep apnoea syndrome (respiratory disturbance index: 37.2/h (SD 18.3/h). Risk ratio for a NAION patient to have sleep apnoea was 4.9 compared to the general population (p<0.001). Sleep apnoea was 1.5–2-fold more frequent than the rate of the other identified risk factors typically associated with NAION (hypertension, diabetes).

Conclusions: Sleep apnoea is the most frequent disorder associated with NAION and should be screened in this population. At least a questionnaire related to obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms and assessment of sleepiness should be systematically proposed to patients with NAION.

Footnotes

    Responses to this article

    • Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and sleep apnoea
      • Aris Konstantopoulos,
      • Andy Luff
      Br J Ophthalmol published online September 16, 2009
    • Re: Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy and sleep apnoea . Authors reply
      • Karine Palombi,
      • Elisabeth Renard, Patrick Levy, Christophe Chiquet, Christelle Deschaux, Jean-Paul Romanet, Jean-Louis Pépin
      Br J Ophthalmol published online September 16, 2009

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