From Heart to Eye: Central Retinal Artery Occlusion Secondary to Endocarditis: Septic Embolism

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a medical challenge. Potential complications such as heart failure and septic embolization may arise, prompting early recognition and treatment. We present the case of a 78-year-old woman with sudden, painless monocular vision loss in the left eye, without other accompanying symptoms. Ophthalmologic evaluation revealed central retinal artery occlusion. A holosystolic murmur was heard at the apex. Further echocardiography confirmed IE. Despite efforts, prognosis of IE is poor, with an in-hospital mortality of 25% in our country, with high risk of embolism (20% to 50%). According to epidemiology, central retinal artery occlusion is a rare complication, resulting from valvular vegetation, occurring in <1% of patients. Unfortunately, there is no accepted treatment to reverse retinal damage caused by central retinal artery occlusion.