[Cardiovascular and hemostaseological view of retinal vascular occlusions]

Sudden pain-free impairment of vision often occurs due to acute occlusions of retinal blood vessels. Retinal vascular occlusion can be distinguished into the more frequent venous and to a lesser degree arterial events but mixed pictures also occur.

Summary of the current literature regarding interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy of retinal blood vessel occlusions.

Selective literature review considering clinically relevant cardiovascular and hemostaseological aspects.

The anatomical localization of the occlusion by the ophthalmologist can give important indications for further medical diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Arterial occlusions are mostly caused by thromboembolisms and the source should be identified and treated. Venous occlusions are mostly due to local processes with a prothrombotic background or venous stasis associated with arterial hypertension. Prognostically, the localization, extent and duration of retinal ischemia are decisive factors.

Vascular ocular occlusions are frequently secondary to internal disorders and therefore pose an interdisciplinary challenge.