Adjusting to a New
Norm(al)
The NAION Curveball
In December 2025, my father, Norman woke up to sudden visual impairment so severe he would need to reconsider future plans. This celebrated hairstylist's huge fan base, loving friends and family have all been asking for ways to help and to learn more about NAION, the condition affecting his vision, thus inspiring this website.
NAION Awareness
What the heck is NAION? Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a non-inflammatory optic neuropathy characterized by painless vision loss, initial optic nerve swelling and subsequent pallor. It is a subset of anterior ischemic optic neuropathies (AION) [1]. Typically persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, smoking history, high cholesterol, and a crowded optic disc (small cup-to-disc ratio), additionally some medications cause increased risk [2]. Fortunately, my dad has an otherwise clean bill of health, but this fact alone causes his case of NAION to be a nasty surprise. If you are interested in learning more about NAION, click the link below:
Support
My dad, Norman, is an active person and having someone to be his eyes on a nature walk would be one of his favorite types of support. He would also appreciate grabbing a meal together. If you are unable to spend time with him in person, or are looking for additional ways to be supportive I have set up a GoFundMe to contribute directly towards costs for adjusting to this new norm(al). I sincerely appreciate any and all the ways people are seeking to help my favorite person. Thank you!
Funding Research
The vast majority of cases of AION are nonarteritic.[1] NAION affects between 2.3 and 10.3 people per 100,000 individuals per year, making it the most common cause of acute optic neuropathy in patients over the age of 50 [2]. Currently, a cure for those impacted by NAION is still in research and clinical trial phases. If interested in directly supporting research to finding a cure, I have included a link below. You'll select "Neuro-Ophthalmology Division" from the drop-down menu:
Fan Mail
Happy to share messages with my dad, or to collect your email
for status updates.
If you have kind words, experience with NAION or something else you'd like to share -- Send me a note and I'll be sure to relay the message.
Eventually we would like to send updates! If you're interested, fill out the form and say you'd like updates and I'll add you to our mailing list.
