Ocular vascular disease: in-office primary care diagnosis

Central retinal artery occlusion occurs most commonly between the ages of 50 and 70 years, and nearly one-half (45%) of patients also have carotid artery disease. Other causes of vision-threatening vascular disease include atherosclerosis, embolism, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and valvular disease. Symptoms vary, depending on the ocular structures involved. The patient's symptoms are an important clue to the diagnosis of peripheral or posterior retinal vascular occlusion, macular blood vessel disease, intravitreal hemorrhage, optic nerve ischemia, and ocular ischemic syndrome. The patient's ocular symptoms should lead to investigation for clinical signs of ocular vascular disease (eg, hemorrhage, "hard" or "soft" exudates, neovascularization, retinal edema, pallor, emboli, vessel narrowing, or atriovenous crossing changes).