Stroke Risk and Risk Factors in Patients With Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

We read with interest the recently published article1 and commentaries2,3 on the stroke risk and acute management of patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). As emphasized by Lavin and associates,1 CRAO patients have a high risk of stroke and cardiovascular events. In Lavin and associates' series of 103 patients with acute CRAO seen within 7  days of onset of visual loss, 37.3% of the 67 patients with brain magnetic resonance imaging had coincident acute strokes, 36.7% of patients had severe carotid disease (greater than 70% stenosis, dissection, or intra-arterial thrombus), 33% presented with hypertensive emergency, and 20% had a my ocardial infarction or severe cardiac disease.
Source: American Journal of Ophthalmology - Category: Opthalmology Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research