Intravenous digital subtraction angiography and its role in ocular vascular disease

One hundred patients with ocular occlusive vascular disease were studied by intravenous digital subtraction angiography (IV DSA). In 17 patients with transient monocular blindness, 65% showed ipsilateral carotid atheroma. The degree of carotid stenosis was greater than 70% in eight of the 17 patients. Severe unilateral or bilateral stenosis was demonstrated in 70% of ten patients with chronic retinal artery obstruction, ie, venous stasis retinopathy or orbital hypoxia. An ipsilateral carotid artery source of emboli or substantial degree of stenosis was documented in 50% of 48 patients with acute retinal artery obstruction. Little or no carotid disease was found in 72% of 25 patients with retinal vein obstruction. The greatest value of IV DSA is in the management of patients with transient monocular blindness.