What is amaurosis fugax?

• A. Permanent blindness
• B. Temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes
• C. Double vision
• D. Itchy eyes

Answer: (B)

Amaurosis fugax is a brief, transient loss of vision in one eye caused by temporary interruption of blood flow to the retina. This sudden ischemia is often due to an embolus or reduced perfusion in the carotid or retinal circulation and typically lasts seconds to a few minutes before vision fully returns. It’s a warning sign for potential future stroke, so it prompts urgent vascular evaluation for carotid disease and other vascular risk factors.

This isn’t permanent blindness—the vision recovers completely after the episode. It also isn’t double vision, which relates to misalignment or cranial nerve/extraocular muscle issues, nor is it itchy eyes, which points to irritation or conjunctival problems.