Can You Get a Stroke in Your Eyes?
In the back of the eyes, in the retina, there are many blood vessels which supply oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. If these blood vessels become obstructed or blocked, a stroke in the eye can occur which may be due to an underlying health condition.
Types of Blood Vessel Blockages or “Stroke”
In the eyes, there are both arteries and veins present in the retina.
Arteries are responsible for supplying the eye with fresh blood from the heart while veins remove blood after the oxygen has been used by the eyes.
Both arteries and veins can be blocked at the base of the entrance into the eye and cause a central retinal artery or vein occlusion respectively.
If the artery or vein is not blocked at the central vessel, it can become blocked in one of the smaller blood vessels causing a branch artery or vein occlusion.
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
A central retinal artery occlusion is a severe condition which results in total loss of vision in one eye.
This type of blood vessel blockage will usually be a sudden occurrence which is associated with spells of transient vision loss and may also accompany a stroke.
There is no treatment for a central retinal artery occlusion, but the underlying cause of the blockage must be treated appropriately to preserve the remaining vision in the other eye.
Causes of a central retinal artery occlusion include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, or other cardiovascular diseases.
Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion
A branch retinal artery occlusion is very similar to a central retinal artery occlusion and differs mainly in the area of the retina which is impacted.
A branch retinal artery occlusion will only impact about one fourth of the retina and can preserve vision in the remaining part of the retina.
Since only a portion of the retina is impacted, the outcomes associated with a branch artery occlusion are much better than a central retinal artery occlusion.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
A central retinal vein occlusion differs from a central retinal artery occlusion as it impacts the vein drainage system instead of the artery supply system.
As the blood backs up into the eye, it can cause bleeding, areas of dead retinal tissue, new leaky blood vessel growth, and swelling within the retina.
A central retinal vein occlusion can cause blurry vision, distorted vision, or a total loss of vision.
A central retinal vein occlusion can be treated with injections in the eye or laser surgery to prevent more leaky blood vessels.
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Similar to the relationship between central retinal artery occlusions and branch retinal artery occlusions, branch retinal vein occlusions have a similar but smaller impact as central retinal vein occlusions.
A branch retinal vein occlusion or central retinal vein occlusion may be due to uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, oral contraceptive use, or a deficiency with the blood clotting process.
What to Do for a Vessel Blockage
If you believe you may have any form of blood vessel blockage in the eyes, it is important to visit an eye doctor as soon as possible to be evaluated.
If the doctor determines that you have a vessel occlusion, they will make the needed referrals to other doctors, or the emergency room as needed.
Our eye doctors at GHEye excel in prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at (571) 445-3692 to schedule your appointment today,especially if you are suspecting a stroke in the eye. Our eye doctors, Dr. Ally Stoeger and Dr. Jennifer Sun provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in the Gainesville VA and Haymarket VA areas.
In the back of the eyes, in the retina, there are many blood vessels which supply oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. If these blood vessels become obstructed or blocked, a stroke in the eye can occur which may be due to an underlying health condition.
Types of Blood Vessel Blockages or “Stroke”
In the eyes, there are both arteries and veins present in the retina.
Arteries are responsible for supplying the eye with fresh blood from the heart while veins remove blood after the oxygen has been used by the eyes.
Both arteries and veins can be blocked at the base of the entrance into the eye and cause a central retinal artery or vein occlusion respectively.
If the artery or vein is not blocked at the central vessel, it can become blocked in one of the smaller blood vessels causing a branch artery or vein occlusion.
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
A central retinal artery occlusion is a severe condition which results in total loss of vision in one eye.
This type of blood vessel blockage will usually be a sudden occurrence which is associated with spells of transient vision loss and may also accompany a stroke.
There is no treatment for a central retinal artery occlusion, but the underlying cause of the blockage must be treated appropriately to preserve the remaining vision in the other eye.
Causes of a central retinal artery occlusion include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases, or other cardiovascular diseases.
Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion
A branch retinal artery occlusion is very similar to a central retinal artery occlusion and differs mainly in the area of the retina which is impacted.
A branch retinal artery occlusion will only impact about one fourth of the retina and can preserve vision in the remaining part of the retina.
Since only a portion of the retina is impacted, the outcomes associated with a branch artery occlusion are much better than a central retinal artery occlusion.
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
A central retinal vein occlusion differs from a central retinal artery occlusion as it impacts the vein drainage system instead of the artery supply system.
As the blood backs up into the eye, it can cause bleeding, areas of dead retinal tissue, new leaky blood vessel growth, and swelling within the retina.
A central retinal vein occlusion can cause blurry vision, distorted vision, or a total loss of vision.
A central retinal vein occlusion can be treated with injections in the eye or laser surgery to prevent more leaky blood vessels.
Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
Similar to the relationship between central retinal artery occlusions and branch retinal artery occlusions, branch retinal vein occlusions have a similar but smaller impact as central retinal vein occlusions.
A branch retinal vein occlusion or central retinal vein occlusion may be due to uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, oral contraceptive use, or a deficiency with the blood clotting process.
What to Do for a Vessel Blockage
If you believe you may have any form of blood vessel blockage in the eyes, it is important to visit an eye doctor as soon as possible to be evaluated.
If the doctor determines that you have a vessel occlusion, they will make the needed referrals to other doctors, or the emergency room as needed.