Key Takeaways
- Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a blockage of blood flow to the retina, often called an 'eye stroke'.
- The main symptom of RAO is sudden, painless vision loss in one eye.
- RAO requires immediate medical attention to try to save vision.
- There's no proven treatment to reverse damage from RAO, but some treatments may help improve blood flow if given quickly.
- Conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease can increase your risk of RAO.
Imagine waking up one morning and suddenly not being able to see out of one eye. This can be scary. It might be a sign of a retinal artery occlusion (RAO), sometimes called an "eye stroke." I'm Dr. David Dao from Elman Retina Group. I want to explain what this condition is and what you should do if it happens to you.
What is a Retinal Artery Occlusion?
Your retina is the back part of your eye that helps you see. It needs a constant supply of blood to work right. A retinal artery occlusion (RAO) happens when one of the arteries (blood vessels) that feeds your retina gets blocked. Think of it like a blocked pipe. When the blood can't get through, your retina can't work as it should. This is similar to a stroke in the brain, but it affects your eye. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this blockage deprives the retina of oxygen and nutrients.
What Causes a Retinal Artery Occlusion?
The most common cause is a blood clot. This clot usually comes from another part of your body and travels to your eye. Other causes can include:
- Plaque Buildup: Fatty deposits (plaque) can build up in your arteries, narrowing them and leading to blockages.
- Inflammation: Inflammation of the blood vessels in your eye.
- Other Health Problems: Conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can increase your risk.
What are the Symptoms of a Retinal Artery Occlusion?
The main symptom is sudden, painless vision loss in one eye. This can range from mild blurriness to complete loss of sight. The vision loss happens quickly. It is important to get help right away. The National Eye Institute says that the sooner you get treatment, the better the chance of saving your vision.
How is a Retinal Artery Occlusion Diagnosed?
I can diagnose an RAO during an eye exam. I will use special tools to look at your retina and blood vessels. These tests might include:
- Ophthalmoscopy: Using a light with a magnifying lens to view the back of your eye.
- Fundus Photography: Taking pictures of your retina.
- Fluorescein Angiography: Injecting dye into your arm to see how blood flows through your retinal blood vessels.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Taking detailed pictures of your retina.
What are the Treatments for a Retinal Artery Occlusion?
Unfortunately, there is no proven treatment to reverse the damage from a retinal artery occlusion. However, some treatments may help to improve blood flow to the retina. These include:
- Reducing Eye Pressure: Lowering the pressure inside your eye may help to dislodge the blockage.
- Breathing into a Paper Bag: This can increase the carbon dioxide in your blood, which may widen your blood vessels.
- Clot-Busting Drugs: In some cases, medicines to dissolve blood clots may be used.
Treatments must be given quickly to have any chance of working. It is also important to find out what caused the blockage. You may need to see other doctors to check your heart and blood vessels.
What Should I Do If I Think I Have a Retinal Artery Occlusion?
If you suddenly lose vision in one eye, get medical help right away. Go to the emergency room or see an eye doctor as soon as possible. Time is very important with a retinal artery occlusion. The sooner you get treatment, the better chance you have of saving your vision.
At Elman Retina Group, we are here to help you with any retinal problems. If you are experiencing vision loss, call us today at 410-686-3000.
Have More Questions?
Our retina specialists are happy to answer your questions in person.
410-686-3000
Five convenient locations in the Baltimore metro area
