In fact, "eye stroke" is a colloquial term for central retinal artery occlusion. This condition is most common among middle-aged and elderly individuals. Vascular changes in this age group are systemic; besides affecting the heart, brain, kidneys, and major arteries, the blood vessels in the eyes can also develop occlusive lesions.
The primary vessels supplying nutrients and metabolism to the eye are the central retinal artery and central retinal vein. When these vessels become blocked, ischemic eye disease occurs. Of course, this condition can also affect some younger individuals. Because the pathogenesis of this eye disease is similar to that of cerebral vascular blockage, it is termed "eye stroke."
Symptoms of Eye Stroke: Sudden Vision Loss
With rising living standards, extended lifespans, and changing lifestyles, the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases continues to climb, leading to an increase in eye stroke cases. Moreover, this condition is difficult to detect early. By the time symptoms like those experienced by Uncle Zhu appear, the disease has often progressed to an advanced stage.
Sudden vision loss is a defining characteristic of this condition, primarily caused by ocular ischemia. It resembles the transient visual obscuration seen in transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or the blindness resulting from cerebral infarction when the ophthalmic artery is affected. Complete central retinal artery occlusion causes instantaneous, total vision loss, making treatment challenging. Partial visual field defects indicate incomplete occlusion, which is somewhat easier to treat.Regardless of the type of occlusion, urgent intervention is essential to restore blood flow and prevent permanent blindness.
Patients unable to reach a hospital promptly may attempt ocular massage to rapidly lower intraocular pressure, dilate blood vessels, and dislodge the thrombus into smaller branches to minimize retinal damage. Alternatively, they may inhale isosorbide dinitrate or place nitroglycerin sublingually.Patients who can reach a hospital within a very short time should go immediately and seek emergency care from an ophthalmologist to improve the cure rate.
Preventing Eye Stroke Like Preventing Brain Stroke
Although the sites of onset differ, the mechanisms of eye stroke and brain stroke are the same. Therefore, eye stroke can be prevented in the same way as brain stroke.
Preventing ocular stroke requires managing hypertension and atherosclerosis. In daily life, this means balancing work and rest, engaging in appropriate physical activity, controlling or reducing weight, adjusting dietary habits, maintaining mental equilibrium, and quitting smoking or limiting alcohol consumption. Regular hospital checkups for blood pressure and lipid levels are essential.
Patients with hypertension and atherosclerosis complicated by diabetes, endocarditis, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or hypothyroidism should undergo regular hospital examinations for blood glucose, electrocardiogram, and thyroid function. When necessary, seek medical treatment for hypoglycemia, anti-inflammation, anticoagulation, ventricular rate control, and thyroid function improvement to prevent retinal artery occlusion or embolism.
Populations Prone to "Eye Stroke"
Individuals with diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, hypercoagulable states, congenital arterial stenosis, and various types of arteritis are most susceptible to thrombus formation. Thrombi traveling through the bloodstream can enter the internal carotid artery and ophthalmic artery supplying the eye, interrupting blood flow and causing central retinal artery occlusion.
Individuals with atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, mitral valve prolapse,myxoma, subacute bacterial endocarditis, rheumatic mitral stenosis, cardiac surgery, pulmonary infection, long bone fractures, air embolism, and tumors can also generate small emboli that travel through the bloodstream into the internal carotid and ophthalmic arteries. This interrupts blood flow, leading to central retinal artery occlusion.
Rheumatic diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis and dermatomyositis, systemic progressive sclerosis, polyarteritis nodosa, Wegener's granulomatosis, Sjögren's syndrome, overlap syndrome, and Behçet's disease can also affect systemic blood vessels. When these diseases involve the central retinal artery, they may also cause central retinal artery occlusion.
Additionally, certain hematologic disorders like leukemia, thrombocytosis, polycythemia vera, radiation or chemotherapy for malignancies, oral contraceptives, smoking, and alcohol abuse can increase blood viscosity, promote thrombus formation, and consequently cause central retinal artery occlusion.