Vision Loss Flashcards
Give 5 causes of sudden visual loss?
Vascular aetiology, vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, wet ARMD, closed angle glaucoma
What type of visual loss do optic neuritis and stroke cause?
Sudden
Where does the main blood supply to the eye come from?
Branches of the ophthalmic artery
What artery supplies the inner two thirds of the retina?
Central retinal artery
What gives the blood supply to the outer third of the retina?
Choroid
Where do the posterior ciliary arteries supply?
Optic nerve head (optic disc)
Sudden visual loss of a vascular aetiology can be caused by occlusion of what?
Retinal circulation or optic nerve head circulation
Sudden visual loss of a vascular aetiology can be caused by haemorrhage of what?
Abnormal blood vessels or a retinal tear
What 2 conditions can cause abnormal blood vessels to form in the eye?
Diabetic retinopathy or wet ARMD
Describe the visual loss which is encountered in CRAO?
Sudden, painless and profound
What are some signs of CRAO?
Relative afferent pupil defect. Pale, oedematous retina with thread like vessels. Cherry red spot on macula
What does this show?
Central retinal artery occlusion.
(pale, oedematoous retina with thread like vessels)
CRAO is a type of stroke. What can this occur secondary to? Which is most common?
Occurs secondary to carotid artery disease mostly, very rarely as a result of an emboli from the heart.
What is the first line management for CRAO if it presents within 24 hours?
What is the purpose of this treatment?
Ocular massage- try to convert it to a branch occlusion which causes less overall damage.
If the patient presents with a CRAO after more than 24 hours, or an ocular massage has already been performed, what is the next management?
Find the source of the embolus with a carotid doppler, and assess and manage risk factors.
What is amaurosis fugax?
Transient CRAO causing visual loss ‘like a curtain coming down’. Usually lasts about 5 minutes with full recovery and no abnormalaities on examination.
What is the management for amourosis fugax?
Urgent referral to the stroke clinic and possibly start aspirin therapy
What are systemic causes of CRVO?
Atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperviscosity
What is the ocular cause of CRVO?
Raised IOP
Describe the visual loss in CRVO?
Sudden, moderate-severe
What are some signs of CRVO?
Retinal haemorrhages, dilated, torturous veins, swollen disc and macula
What does this show?
Central retinal vein occlusion
What does this show?
Normal macula
What does this show? (Not anything specific, just in general)
Macular oedema
Why do you need to monitor patients with CRVO?
They may develop complications due to new vessel growth
What new treatment can be used for CRVO? What do these do?
Anti-VEGF- prevent new vessel growth