What is the primary cause of amaurosis fugax?

Amaurosis fugax is characterized as transient monocular vision loss. This phenomenon typically results from temporary vascular insufficiency to the retina or its associated structures, often due to emboli or transient occlusion of the central retinal artery or its branches. Individuals experiencing amaurosis fugax usually report a sudden loss of vision in one eye that can last from seconds to minutes, after which vision returns to normal.

The other conditions listed, while related to visual problems, do not accurately define amaurosis fugax. For instance, glaucoma is a chronic condition leading to progressive optic nerve damage, not a temporary loss. Retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy are also conditions that can cause permanent vision loss or changes in vision, rather than the transient nature described in amaurosis fugax. Thus, the feature that best aligns with the nature of amaurosis fugax is the characteristic of transient monocular vision loss.