Monday, 18 July 2016

Central retinal artery occlusion

Condition

  • Central retinal artery occlusion: infarction of retina 
What is it ?
  • Infarction 
  • Can either be caused by thrombosis or embolic occlusion
  • Thrombosis
    • systemic hypertension 
    • dyslipidemia 
    • hyper coagulable states
  • Embolus
    • cervical carotid bifurcation 
    • abnormalities of cardiac valves, wall or rhythm e.g. atrial fibrillation
How does it appear ?
  • Sudden painless loss of vision usually confined to one eye
  • Afferent pupil defect in affected eye
  • Milky appearance of retina because ischemic swelling causes loss of its transparency
  • Cherry-red spot in fovea (spared because it is nourished by choroidal rather than retinal arteries)
Management
  • Refer to hospital immediately for further evaluation 
  • Needs stroke workup
  • Massage globe digitally 
References
- the eye have it 

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