Arteriosclerosis-related thrombosis is the most common cause - CVD risk factors e.g. older age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, obesity
Central retinal artery occlusion can also be caused by giant cell arteritis, where vasculitis affecting the ophthalmic or central retinal artery causes reduced blood flow
Can also be caused by an emboli from the heart
Central retinal artery occlusion
Occlusion of the central retinal artery, with resultant infarction of the inner 2/3 of the retina (outer 1/3 is supplied by choroid) and vision loss
Clinical features
Symptoms
Sudden, painless severe loss of vision
Signs
RAPD (relative afferent pupil defect) - occurs because the input is not being sensed by the ischaemic retina when testing the direct light reflex but is being sensed by the normal retina during the consensual light reflex
