Retinal arterial obstruction-still remains an enigma

Abstract

Retinal artery obstruction is an ocular emergency which usually carries a poor visual prognosis. Restoration of fruitful vision depends on the underlying cause and the immediate start of treatment. However, none of the known treatment modalities, have so far, assured positive results consistently. Retinal artery obstructions are forewarners of possible systemic emboli/infarcts. Thus, it is imperative for ophthalmologists to identify the disease and get a thorough systemic examination done, preferably by a cardiologist, so as to prevent serious systemic morbidity. It is to be noted that in our case report, in spite of having delayed presentations, both the patients were subjected to thorough cardiovascular examinations. In clinical practice, patients are not further investigated, once the chances of visual recovery are bleak. Our case report highlights the importance of subjecting these patients to complete cardiovascular work ups, even though a poor visual recovery is expected, which can lead to detection of various cerebrovascular infarcts.