Fifty-nine patients had arteriography because of episodes of amaurosis fugax. Only one third of them had atherosclerotic lesions potentially treatable by carotid endarterectomy. Another third had normal arteriograms, some of these had migraine, heart disease or platelet disorders presumed to be the cause of their symptoms. Patients with amaurosis fugax are a heterogeneous group, and their visual symptoms should not be considered a specific indicator of stenosis of the internal carotid artery.