What is an eye stroke? | Stroke Awareness Month

May is Stroke Awareness Month. Most of us have heard of a stroke and know it can affect our brain, but there is also another type of stroke you may not be as familiar with, called an eye stroke. An eye stroke can lead to vision loss, which may be permanent. Keep reading below to learn if you are at risk for an eye stroke and what you can do to prevent it. 

What is an eye stroke? 

An eye stroke, also called retinal artery occlusion, involves an interruption in the blood flow to the retina. Similar to how a cerebral stroke cuts off blood flow to the brain, an eye stroke occurs when a retinal blood vessel is blocked. If the condition is not quickly treated, it can lead to permanent vision loss.

Different types of blood vessels may be affected, including:

• Central retinal vein
• Central retinal artery
• Branch retinal vein
• Branch retinal artery  

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​Risk factors

The risk factors for developing an eye stroke are similar to those for having a cerebral stroke. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, men are at a higher risk of having an eye stroke than women. It also most often occurs in people in their 60s. Additional risk factors include the following:

• High cholesterol levels
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease  

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Symptoms of an eye stroke 

Symptoms of an eye stroke often come on suddenly. The most common symptoms include:

• Sudden vision loss in one eye
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Blind spots
• Distorted vision

The symptoms above can also occur due to other eye problems and conditions, but if you experience any of the above symptoms, it is vital to seek emergency medical treatment to determine if the condition is due to an eye stroke. 
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Treatment 

The sooner a person is treated for an eye stroke, the higher their chances of preserving their vision. Treatment may depend on the vessel involved and may include:

Breathing in carbon dioxide: Breathing in a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide can cause the arteries in the retina to dilate and improve blood flow.

Administering medication: Medication that breaks up a clot that blocked a blood vessel can help treat symptoms of an eye stroke.

Removing liquid from the eye: Removing liquid from the eye can help promote better blood flow to the retina.

Preventing eye strokes

There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of developing an eye stroke. Many of the recommendations also help decrease the risk of a brain stroke and keep your blood vessels healthy. Consider the following prevention tips:

Get regular physicals: A regular physical can help your doctor identify problems early. It can also help you know your numbers. You are at an increased risk of an eye stroke if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Knowing your numbers is the first step to making changes to lower cholesterol and blood pressure to a healthy range.

Get regular exercise: Getting regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your blood vessels healthy. Try to do some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.

Don’t smoke: Smoking can damage your blood vessels and puts you at an increased risk of heart disease, strokes, and eye strokes. If you smoke, work with your doctor to develop a plan to quit.

Eat a heart-healthy diet: Talk to your doctor or a dietician about creating a diet that is low in saturated fats and sodium as well as provides the optimal nutrition.  

Manage other health conditions: If you have a medical condition, such as diabetes, work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan to manage the condition.

We hope the information above helps you reduce your chances of developing an eye stroke. If you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600. 
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