Sight-saving outcome with thrombolysis in central retinal artery occlusion

'Time is brain' is an important concept in ischaemic brain stroke, where expeditious intervention is essential for the preservation of neural tissue. Therapeutic strategies involve the prompt administration of thrombolytic agents and in select circumstances the implementation of mechanical thrombectomy. Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) constitutes an ophthalmological emergency and is a form of ischaemic stroke, frequently resulting in profound and irreversible visual impairment. There are currently no universally accepted guidelines delineating the optimal therapeutic time window. In this report, we present the case of a man in his 60s who developed acute, painless monocular vision loss, was rapidly diagnosed with CRAO and subsequently received intravenous tenecteplase and showed near-complete visual recovery within 1 week. This case demonstrates the importance of early interdisciplinary collaboration between ophthalmology and stroke teams and the need for establishment of standardised clinical pathways for the management of CRAO.