Retinal Artery Occlusion Specialist

What is retinal artery occlusion?

Retinal artery occlusion is a blockage that appears in a small artery in your retina, a layer of tissue in the back part of your eye. It’s often caused by a blood clot (a buildup of cholesterol in an artery) similar to a stroke.

Treatment is most effective when used right after an occlusion happens, so see the experts at Retina Consultants Ltd. at the first signs of sudden vision changes.

What are the symptoms of retinal artery occlusion?

Symptoms of retinal artery occlusion involve sudden changes in vision, including:

• Sudden vision loss or blurriness
• Painless vision loss
• Blind spots
• Distorted vision
• Loss of peripheral vision

Vision loss associated with retinal artery occlusion can affect an entire eye or part of an eye. Seek medical attention right away because blood clots in the eye can be a warning sign of clots in other parts of your body like your brain.

What are the risk factors for retinal artery occlusion?

Certain things increase your risk of developing retinal artery occlusion, including:

• Being a man
• Older age
• Having carotid artery disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Artery damage
• Heart valve or rhythm problems
• High cholesterol
• Intravenous drug use
• Heart disease

Prevention strategies that lower your risk of retinal artery occlusion include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, not smoking, and losing weight if you’re overweight.

How is retinal artery occlusion diagnosed?

To diagnose retinal artery occlusion, your eye doctor reviews your symptoms and medical history. They check your blood pressure and other vital signs. Your ophthalmologist completes a comprehensive eye exam, including a dilated eye exam using eye drops to view your retina for signs of damage.

Your eye doctor might order imaging procedures, intraocular pressure tests, and vision tests to diagnose your condition and develop a custom treatment plan.

How is retinal artery occlusion treated?

Your personalized retinal artery occlusion treatment is based on the severity of your condition. While treatment might not reverse vision loss affecting the entire eye, some solutions can restore vision when applied within several hours after symptoms appear.

Your retina specialist could recommend:

• Removing some liquid from your eye
• Taking clot-busting medications
• Massaging the eye
• Breathing in carbon-dioxide mixtures

Sometimes, vision loss associated with retinal artery occlusion is permanent, but in other cases treatment can restore your eyesight.

What additional prevention measures should I take?

Because blockages in arteries in your eye can indicate a life-threatening condition, see your primary care doctor to check for signs of blocked blood vessels in other parts of your body to help prevent heart attack and stroke.

Don’t let retinal artery occlusion lead to permanent vision loss. Schedule an eye exam over the phone or online with Retina Consultants Ltd. at the first signs of vision changes.