Ocular infarction

You develop an ocular infarction when one or more arteries in the eye become blocked. Doctors also refer to an ocular infarction as an arterial occlusion. As a result, part of the retina is deprived of oxygen. Suddenly, your vision in one eye becomes blurred. An ocular infarction does not cause pain. The most common cause is a blood clot that originates in the heart or a blood vessel. Atherosclerosis often plays a role in this. The severity of vision loss depends on the location of the blocked artery. Damage to the center of the retina usually causes more problems than damage to the periphery.

Several factors can lead to an ocular infarction:

• High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of blood clots.
• Diabetes: Diabetes can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of eye infarcts.
• High Cholesterol: High cholesterol levels can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, causing them to narrow.
• Smoking: Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including ocular infarcts.
• Age: The risk of an eye infarction increases with age.

There are two eye conditions that resemble an ocular infarction:

• Ocular thrombosis is a (partial) blockage of a blood vessel in the eye that develops gradually. Ocular thrombosis occurs primarily in people over the age of 50.
• AION is an infarction of the optic nerve

If you have an ocular infarction, you’ll often experience:

• Sudden and severe loss of vision: This can range from a loss of part of the visual field to complete blindness in the affected eye.
• Blurred vision: your vision becomes less clear. If this happens, get a referral to an ophthalmologist immediately or go to the emergency room.

An ophthalmologist makes the diagnosis by performing various tests. A commonly used test is fluorescein angiography. In this procedure, a contrast agent is injected into the blood vessels. Photos are then taken to assess blood flow in the retina. The cause of the blocked artery must be investigated. Preventing a second ocular infarction is, of course, important.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for retinal damage caused by oxygen deprivation. It is important to prevent another eye infarction. Leading a healthy lifestyle is crucial in this regard. If you have an eye thrombosis, the ophthalmologist will always refer you to the neurology department. About 30 percent of patients with an ocular infarction have also had a cerebral infarction without realizing it. The neurologist, possibly in consultation with a cardiologist, will assess the condition of your blood vessels.Depending on the results, medications such as blood pressure-lowering drugs and cholesterol-lowering pills may be prescribed to protect the blood vessels from further damage. Blood thinners may also be prescribed to reduce the risk of another blood vessel blockage.

The terms “ocular infarction” and “ocular thrombosis” are often used interchangeably. However, they do not mean the same thing.

In ocular thrombosis, a vein in the retina is blocked by a blood clot. This prevents blood from draining properly from the eye. As a result, vision may be impaired. The severity of vision loss varies from person to person. The chances of recovery are often better than with an ocular infarction.

In an ocular infarction, an artery supplying the retina becomes blocked. As a result, the retina does not receive enough oxygen. Vision usually deteriorates suddenly and severely. Prompt treatment is important, as the damage to the eye can be significant.

The main difference, then, is that in an ocular thrombosis, a vein becomes blocked, whereas in an ocular infarction, an artery becomes blocked. As a result, the symptoms and the chances of recovery are often different.

You can find more information about ocular thrombosis on the Thuisarts website.

The ophthalmologist continues to monitor patients with a blind eye during follow-up appointments to keep an eye on their intraocular pressure. If the intraocular pressure becomes too high, it can lead to a painful blind eye. The ophthalmologist also monitors the healthy eye.

Life can change dramatically after an eye stroke. You’ll likely be able to see with only one eye, and in some cases, you’ll receive an ocular prosthesis. You’ll face new challenges. On this website, you’ll find, among other things, tips for people who see with one eye, information about ocular prostheses and eye removal surgeries, and the mental challenges you may face.

Life after an eye stroke requires, above all, adaptation and patience. With the right information and support, you can continue to carry out your daily activities.