Retinal Vascular Arterial Disease
What Is Retinal Vascular Arterial Disease?
Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a blockage in the system of arteries that provide blood and nourishment to the retina. This blockage may be caused from an embolism or small clot that reduces the oxygen supply to your eye. Unfortunately, with rare exceptions, the vision loss from a retinal artery occlusion cannot be restored. Nevertheless, you should seek immediate treatment if you experience a sudden, painless loss of vision - either full or partial - in one eye. The reason for this prompt treatment is that one particular cause of RAO can quickly lead to total vision loss in both eyes if left untreated.
Central Retina Artery (Red) and Branch Arteries (Red) Pump Blood and Nutrients to the Retina
What is Retinal Artery Occlusion (RAO)?
A retinal artery occlusion may be caused by an ocular stroke. The embolism that results from this stroke will either block the central retinal artery or one of the smaller, outer arteries. If the embolism blocks the central artery (CRAO), the major symptom is the painless, rapid loss of full vision in one eye. If the embolism impacts one of the outer arteries (BRAO), the rapid vision loss may only be partial.
Other factors that can result in RAO include arterial disease such as atherosclerosis. Plaque that breaks off from an artery, usually the carotid artery, can result in an embolism that blocks central retinal artery from nourishing the retina. An embolism can also originate from a blood clot in the heart.
In up to 10 percent of people with RAO, giant cell arteritis causes swelling in the arteries in the upper portion of the body and head, and can also reduce blood flow to the retina, resulting in a loss of vision. This condition requires prompt diagnosis and treatment with steroid medication. If left untreated, this can quickly lead to total vision loss in both eyes.
Who Is at Risk for Retinal Arterial Occlusion (RAO)?
RAO most commonly affects people aged 50-80 with a systemic illness such as hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or atherosclerosis.
How Is Retinal Artery Occlusion (RAO) Detected?
RAO is detected through an examination with an ophthalmoscope. Since little can be done to restore vision lost through retinal arterial occlusion, treating the underlying systemic disease is the best way to prevent this disease. If you are being treated for hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes, it is very important that you adhere to the regiment prescribed by your primary care doctor or specialist. You may also be advised to begin a regimen of a blood thinning agent.
Reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and maintaining your blood sugar levels are critical components to maintaining overall good health and to protecting your vision.