Retinal artery occlusion occurs when one of the arteries supplying blood to the retina becomes blocked, usually due to a blood clot or cholesterol plaque.
Blocks oxygen supply to the retina
Causes sudden vision loss
Typically affects one eye
Can be partial or complete
Without blood flow, retinal cells can start dying within minutes to hours
Sudden and severe vision loss
Often permanent damage
Indicates high risk of brain stroke
Requires immediate medical evaluation
RAO is both an eye emergency and a systemic health warning
Blockage in the main retinal artery
Severe and sudden vision loss
Most serious form
Blockage in smaller branches
Partial vision loss
May affect only a section of vision
Sudden, painless vision loss in one eye
Blurred or dim vision
Loss of peripheral vision
Blind spots
Symptoms usually occur without warning and progress rapidly.
Even temporary vision loss should be treated as an emergency
RAO is mainly caused by a blockage in the retinal artery.
Blood clot (most common)
Cholesterol or fatty deposits
Plaque from carotid artery
Heart-related embolism
The blockage often originates from the heart or neck arteries and travels to the eye.
You are at higher risk if you:
Have high blood pressure
Have diabetes
Have high cholesterol
Smoke
Have heart disease
Are above 50 years
These conditions increase the risk of blood vessel blockage.
Seek immediate emergency care if you experience:
Sudden vision loss
Blurred or distorted vision
Vision blackout in one eye
Immediate treatment may help preserve vision and prevent stroke
Doctors perform urgent eye and systemic evaluation:
Fundus examination (retina check)
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography)
Fluorescein angiography
Blood tests & imaging (to assess stroke risk)
There is no guaranteed cure, but emergency treatment aims to restore blood flow quickly.
Eye massage
Medications to reduce eye pressure
Clot-dissolving drugs (early cases)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
Managing underlying cardiovascular conditions
Treatment is most effective if started within hours of symptom onset
Estimated Cost Range:
Emergency evaluation: ₹2,000 – ₹10,000
Advanced treatment: ₹10,000 – ₹1,00,000+
Long-term management: varies
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Vision recovery is often limited
Early treatment improves chances
Requires systemic evaluation (heart & brain)
Long-term risk of stroke must be managed
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Or
It is a blockage in the artery supplying blood to the retina, causing sudden vision loss.
Yes, it requires immediate medical attention.
Yes, it can cause permanent vision loss if untreated.
Blood clots or cholesterol plaques blocking retinal arteries.
Managing BP, diabetes, cholesterol, and heart health reduces risk.
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