Retinal Artery Occlusion

Thrombotic or embolic

Your Path

  • Retinal artery occlusion

Etiology

  • Hypercoag state
  • Athertosclerosis
  • Emboli→ carotids, heart (a fib, ventricular thrombus)

Risk Factors

  • Htn
  • Dm
  • Hyperlipidemia
  • Smoking
  • Early fam hx
  • A fib
  • Known vascular dz

Symptoms

  • Unilateral
  • Like a "curtain dropping"
  • Field of visual loss based on distribution of artery occluded

Physical Exam Findings

  • Cherry red spot
  • Decreased acuity
  • Affected area retina paler
  • Sometimes afferent pupillary defect