Issue 6/2023
Aptikadir, S., Stavrev, V., Sivkova, N.
Department of Eye Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Plovdiv
University Eye Clinic, UMBAL «St. Georgi» – Plovdiv
Acute retinal ischemia caused by central retinal artery obstruction is the ocular version of acute cerebral ischemia. It is a medical and ocular emergency requiring immediate attention (1). The condition is characterized by a sudden loss of vision or visual field loss due to a partial or complete obstruction of the retinal artery, which is painless and dramatic. Depending on the location of the occlusion, retinal artery occlusions can be classified into two different types: central retinal occlusions and branch retinal occlusions (2). The risk factors leading to retinal artery occlusion are similar to those associated with stroke, including hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, etc., that must be identified if subsequent vascular accidents are to be prevented (1,3). Ophthalmoscopy is the first step in making the diagnosis, as it visualizes the fundus and allows determining changes that have occurred. As a next step, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCT-A) can be performed, which are more modern and non-invasive diagnostic techniques. Fluorescein angiography, on the other hand, is an old and invasive technique (2,4,5). The timing of initiation of treatment is crucial when it comes to acute retinal artery occlusions, which can be treated with either “conservative” or invasive methods. (6,7). In the event of sudden vision loss, patients should immediately seek medical attention at an emergency ophthalmology facility. It is believed that patients with retinal artery occlusion are more likely to suffer from stroke or myocardial infarction, so recommendations focus on preventing further vascular events (5).
Address for correspondence:
Аptikadir, A.
Department of Eye Diseases, Faculty of Medicine,
Medical University – Plovdiv
4000, Plovdiv
15A, „Vasil Aprilov, Blvd.