Ocular ischemic syndrome: long-term ocular complications

Acute retinal arterial occlusive events in the eye are generally easily recognized and the association with embolic material, often from ulcerative lesion of the ipsilateral carotid vessels, usually can be established by noninvasive imaging techniques. In contrast, chronic retinal and choroidal circulatory impairments from ophthalmic artery insufficiency is usually due to high-grade, hemodynamically-significant carotid occlusive disease which can be difficult to recognize because of the diverse clinical features and presentations. We present herein the experience of the senior author (LEM) in the diagnosis and management of these complex cases.