Symptoms

Painless, abrupt loss of vision (central retinal artery occlusion -CRAO) or partial visual field (branch retinal artery occlusion-BRAO) within seconds

Clinical signs

A. Superficial opacification or whitening of the retina
B. Cherry-red spot in the centre of the macula (in CRAO)
C. Narrowed retinal arterioles
D. Cotton-wool spots (in BRAO)
E. Afferent pupillary defect
F. Retinal arteriolar emboli

Causes

A. Embolus
B. Thrombosis
C. Giant cell arteritis
D. Other collagen-vascular diseases
E. Hypercoagulation disorders
F. Trauma

Management

A. Blood pressure check
B. Blood test (including CRP, ESR)
C. Cardiac evaluation (ECG, EEG)
D. Immediate ocular massage
E. Anterior chamber paracentesis
F. Acetozolamide iv or orally
G. Treat underlying medical problem