Retinal Artery Occlusion

Retinal artery occlusion is a blockage of one of the arteries that supply blood to the retina — often called an 'eye stroke.' It causes sudden, painless vision loss that can be severe. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) affects the main artery and causes near-total vision loss in the affected eye. Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) blocks a smaller branch and usually affects only a portion of the visual field. Risk factors include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and carotid artery disease. Retinal artery occlusion is a medical emergency and requires urgent evaluation. While treatment options are limited, prompt assessment is critical to evaluate for stroke risk and underlying cardiovascular disease.