User:Mr. Ibrahem/Central retinal artery occlusion

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is the sudden blockage of the central retinal artery of the eye. Symptoms include painless loss of vision in one eye. Onset is sudden. Complications can include glaucoma and vitreous bleeding.

Causes may include atherosclerosis, collagen-vascular disease, inflammatory conditions, and hypercoagulable states. It most commonly occurs due to an embolism, possibly from the carotid arteries or heart valves. Other causes include vasculitis related to lupus or temporal arteritis. Risk factors include high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. Diagnosis is by funduscopic examination.

Treatment is controversial. Efforts may include decreasing intraocular pressure to try to dislodge the clot. This may be done with the use of timolol eye drops or acetazolamide. Some have tried massage of the eye and thrombolysis is being studied. Some degree of permanent vision loss in the effected eye often results.

CRAO occurs in about 1 in 50,000 people a year. It occurs more commonly in older people; with more than 90% of cases occurring in people over the age of 40. Males are affected more often than females. The condition was first described in 1859 by von Graefe.