NAION is commonly associated with which systemic conditions?

• A. Inflammation infection
• B. Uncontrolled BP, blood sugar, and cholesterol
• C. Eye trauma
• D. Allergies

Answer: (B)

NAION happens when the blood supply to the optic nerve head is compromised by microvascular disease. The systemic conditions that best fit this pattern are uncontrolled blood pressure, diabetes (blood sugar), and cholesterol (lipids). These factors reflect vascular risk and promote atherosclerosis and impaired perfusion, which can lead to ischemia in the optic nerve head and NAION.

Inflammation or infection would point toward arteritic AION (often due to giant cell arteritis) rather than NAION, and eye trauma or allergies do not establish the vascular risk profile that drives NAION.