[Recurrent episodes of central retinal artery occlusion]

A 70-year-old man with arteriosclerosis of the carotid arteries developed acute occlusion of the central retinal artery and blindness during intravenous pyelography. 40 minutes after the occlusive episode he underwent paracentesis of the anterior chamber and vision returned (6/18). During the next 2 weeks, while receiving aspirin and then intravenous heparin, there were recurrent episodes of arterial occlusion and blindness that were immediately treated by repeated paracenteses of the anterior chamber. Visual activity again returned to 6/18 and his condition has remained stable as of his last clinic visit, 3 months after the first episode.