Do Patients with Retinal Artery Occlusion Need Urgent Neurological Evaluation?

Whether patients with central (CRAO) or branch (BRAO) retinal artery occlusion should undergo urgently a detailed neurological workup for ischemic stroke is controversial. In a survey1 of physicians in the United States, among those who responded, 35% of ophthalmologists but 73% to 86% of neurologists and neuro-ophthalmologists sent their patients with acute CRAO for immediate neurological workup. An anonymous survey of members of the American Academy of Neurology Stroke Section and vitreoretinal specialists of the American Academy of Ophthalmology showed that 75% neurologists pursue a hospital-based evaluation within 12 hours of retinal artery occlusion, whereas the 82% of retina specialists pursue an outpatient workup.
Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Perspective Source Type: research