Amaurosis fugax

Amaurosis fugax refers to the temporary, sudden and painless loss of vision caused by a blood clot or piece of plaque that blocks a retinal artery. This condition can last for a few seconds up to several hours, and often indicates a cerebral circulatory disorder (CCD) or a stroke (cerebrovascular accident); it may also occur in conjunction with carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid artery stenosis describes the narrowing of the two main arteries supplying the brain:

• Arteria carotis communis (ACC → common carotid artery)
• Arteria carotis interna (→ internal carotid artery)