An eye stroke is a result of a sudden reduction or blockage of blood flow to the retina. The retina is a light sensitive tissue which requires a constant supply of oxygen. As soon as circulation ceases retinal cells may die out very fast. Also a large cause is retinal artery occlusion, which in turn may cause severe painless vision loss. eye stroke requires immediate medical evaluation also because it may at the same time indicate a health issue with the heart or the carotid arteries.
What Is an Eye Stroke?
An eye stroke is a term used for when there is sudden blockage in a retina artery. If the central retinal artery is affected the inner retina’s blood flow goes back to normal. A person may notice sudden blur, a black spot, or sudden blindness in one eye.
NCBI Bookshelf reports that central retinal artery occlusion is an ophthalmic emergency which causes sudden and severe vision loss. This means an eye stroke should not be treated by waiting for vision to improve on its own. NCBI Bookshelf Central Retinal Artery Occlusion.
Eye Stroke Symptoms You Should Not Ignore
An eye stroke may also present without signs of pain and little to no warning. Sudden loss of light sensitivity, fuzziness, shadow formation or partial blind spots in the vision is a possible initial report from some. Also some report a “curtain coming down” over the field of vision.
| Warning sign | What you may notice |
| Sudden vision loss | Rapid loss of sight in one eye |
| Dark or blank area | A shadow or missing portion of vision |
| Severe blurring | Vision suddenly becomes unclear |
| Painless onset | Major visual change without obvious eye pain |
Immediate medical attention is required for any unexplained sudden blindness Though vision may return in a short while, a temporary vascular blockage may still require urgent evaluation.
What Causes an Eye Stroke?
An eye stroke can result from a clot or embolus which deposits in a retinal artery. The source may be from plaque in the carotid arteries or that from the heart. Also risk is increased by high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, abnormal heart rhythms, and other vascular issues.
In elderly patients retinal artery occlusion may present with giant cell arteritis which is an inflammatory disease that requires urgent care. This is the reason to evaluate for both vision and general vascular health in a patient with an eye stroke
| Possible risk factor | Why it matters |
| High blood pressure | Can damage arteries over time |
| Diabetes | Raises vascular complication risk |
| High cholesterol | Can contribute to plaque formation |
| Heart or carotid disease | May provide a source of emboli |
| Giant cell arteritis | Can inflame and obstruct arteries |
How Is an Eye Stroke Diagnosed?
When eye stroke is a concern our eye specialist team will test the retina and see how the vision is doing. We also do fundus photos and optical coherence tomography which will show us what is going on in the retina. Also we may order blood work, heart evaluation, or carotid imaging.
The American Heart Association scientific report available on PubMed reports that acute central retinal artery occlusion is a medical emergency which is to be evaluated urgently for vascular issues. This is so because an eye stroke may in fact be an indicator of future cardiovascular or cerebral events. PubMed Care of the Patient with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion.
Eye Stroke Treatment: Why Time Matters
In each case there is not a universal treatment for vision restoration. Care is based on the type of blockage, time since symptoms started, results of the exam, and the base cause. As retinal tissue is sensitive to oxygen deprivation which in turn reduces the chance of successful intervention, delay is a factor.
If you experience sudden blindness from an eye stroke do not delay at home to see if vision returns. Go to the emergency room right away. Some patients may require timely treatment which is a matter of hours, others will need urgent evaluation and control of vascular risk factors.
At Vasan Eye Care, we see patients who present with sudden eye issues in which case we provide specialist eye care and the appropriate referral out for a full body assessment if needed. A prompt visit to our eye hospital can help determine if the acute vision loss is due to an eye stroke or another cause which in turn will guide us in which eye treatments to use.
Can an Eye Stroke Be Prevented?
Not all events are preventable but we do see that which includes control of blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, smoking and heart disease may in fact reduce your risk of a future stroke. Post retinal artery occlusion, care may include ophthalmology, medicine, cardiology, or neurology. As for preventing a second eye stroke it is on the whole a matter of identifying what caused the blockage.
Conclusion
An eye stroke that affects sight also may be a sign of serious vascular disease. Look out for sudden visual changes, get in to see the doctor right away and identify the cause which in turn will help to save your sight and improve your health.
FAQs
- Is this a medical emergency?
Yes. It may cause permanent damage to the retina and should be seen immediately.
- Can it cause permanent blindness?
Yes. Severe blockage may result in permanent vision loss or sudden blindness.
- Is the condition painful?
It is almost always pain free. Sudden visual loss with no pain at all still requires emergency care.
- Can vision return after treatment?
Recovery is variable. In some patients vision improves partially, in others it does not improve at all.
- Who should I consult for sudden vision loss?
Immediate medical attention and an eye specialist are required. Sudden blindness is not a condition to be put off for a routine visit.
Reference links
- Vision Problems – MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003029.htm - Retinal Detachment – National Eye Institute (NEI)
https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/retinal-detachment - Central Retinal Vein Occlusion (CRVO) – National Eye Institute (NEI)
https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/central-retinal-vein-occlusion-crvo - Types of Glaucoma – National Eye Institute (NEI)
https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/glaucoma/types-glaucoma - Corneal Conditions – National Eye Institute (NEI)
https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/corneal-conditions