Early Identification of Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Using Point-of-care Ultrasound

A 69-year-old woman with a history of untreated hypertension presented with acute-onset monocular vision loss. Initial workup was delayed due to lack of immediate specialty consultation and dilated funduscopic exam. Point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department identified a small hyperechoic structure within the distal area of the central retinal artery; in conjunction with specialty ophthalmologic evaluation in a tertiary care center, the diagnosis of central retinal artery occlusion was made. The patient was admitted to the neurology service for stroke risk stratification and was discharged in stable condition with re-initiation of her antihypertensive medication regimen.