AIM: To investigate the relationship among carotid atherosclerosis, homocysteine(Hcys)and anterior ischmic optic neuropathy(AION).

METHODS: Sixty-five AION patients enrolled in AION group and 70 non-AION controls enrolled in control group. All the participants in 2 groups were examined by carotid artery color doppler flow imaging to evaluate the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis. Plasma levels of Hcys, vitamin B12 and folate were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The incidence of carotid atherosclerosis, plasma levels of Hcys, vitamin B12 and folate were compared statistically between AION and control group.

RESULTS: Fifty-six AION patients(86%)exhibited carotid atherosclerosis, which was found in 43 control subjects(61%). Fifty-nine AION patients(91%)exhibited increased plasma levels of Hcys compared with that in 38 control subjects(54%). Lowered vitamin B12 was found in 37 patients with AION(57%)and in 43 control subjects(61%). Lowered folate was found in 54 AION patients(83%)and in 32 control subjects(46%). The incidence of atherosclerosis in carotid artery(P=0.001), mean Hcys level(P=0.0005)and lowered folate(P=0.0006)were different statistically between AION group and control group. Mean vitamin B12 level was indifferent between AION group and control group(P=0.0722). Logistic regression analysis showed that carotid atherosclerosis was an a risk factor for AION(OR=1.312, 95%CI: 0.927～1.772), whereas elevated Hcys level(OR=2.378, 95%CI: 1.479～3.821)was also shown to be significant risk factor for AION.

CONCLUSION: Carotid atherosclerosis and elevated Hcys were related with AION. Reducing above-mentioned risk factors related to thrombus may be crucial to the prevention and cure of AION.