You have probably heard of a stroke and know that it occurs when blood flow to your brain is stopped. A similar condition, called eye stroke, occurs when a blockage impedes blood flow to the retina, the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye, explains Dr Madhusmita Behera, Senior Consultant - Department of Cataract, Orbit, and Oculoplastic Surgery, Rotary Techno Nethralaya.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Behera shares that eye stroke is particularly common in middle-aged and elderly people. However, more and more young people are developing the condition for various reasons. She highlights various risk factors and also shares tips to reduce the risk.
Also Read: What Type Of Headache Is It If You Have Pain Behind Your Eye
What Causes An Eye Stroke?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 1-2 per one lakh people develop retinal artery occlusion, or eye stroke, each year.
“Much like a cerebral stroke, where the blood supply to the brain is reduced or cut off, the retinas in the eye lose their blood supply,” says Dr Behera. She explains, “During an eye stroke, the retinal artery or veins become blocked by a clot or there is narrowing of the blood vessels, which then leads to an eye stroke.” According to her, there are different types of eye strokes, depending on the blood vessel that is affected. These include:
- Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO): central retinal artery becomes blocked
- Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO): main retinal vein becomes blocked
- Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO): branch retinal artery become blocked
- Branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO): branch retinal vein becomes blocked.
Common Symptoms Of An Eye Stroke
Here are some of the common symptoms of an eye stroke to watch out for:
- Sudden vision loss
- Blurred vision
- Visual disturbances
- Floaters and flashes
- Darkness or blind spots
- Small-scale vision changes that worsen over time
Eye Stroke In Young People
As per Dr Behara, more and more young people are developing eye strokes in recent years. This is linked to lifestyle choices and pre-existing health conditions, she says. Some of the factors contributing to this rise include:
Lifestyle choices: Consumption of alcohol, smoking, and high-stress levels.
Pre-existing conditions: High blood pressure and diabetes.
Poor dietary habits: High intake of sodium, trans fats, processed foods, and sugary beverages.
Dr Behera explains that strokes, whether in the brain, heart, or eyes, are interconnected and increasingly affect younger generations due to these factors.
Other risk factors include:
- Glaucoma
- Ocular trauma
- Smoking
- Tobacco intake
- Clotting disorders or heart valve disease
- High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia)
Treatment And Prevention
Dr Behera emphasises the need for prompt diagnosis by an ophthalmologist. This involves comprehensive exams like slit lamp evaluation, pupil evaluation, and dilated fundus evaluation.
Additionally, special tests like Fundus Fluorescein Angiography to assess blood vessel integrity and detect any blockages and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to detect swelling in the retina can also be done, she adds.
Treatment options include:
- Ocular digital massage
- Paracentesis: Fluid from the eye is taken out with the help of a needle to lower the eye pressure.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Some may respond to steroid therapy to decrease inflammation.
- A few others may be started on blood thinners to dissolve the clot and prevent further such attacks.
- Medication to decrease intraocular pressure or to dissolve blood clots
- Laser treatment to seal the leaking blood vessels
- Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs
For those who have a higher risk of developing an eye stroke, be they young or old, here are some ways to reduce the risk:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.
- Manage underlying or pre-existing health issues effectively.
- A periodic eye check to be done by an ophthalmologist.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own doctor if you are dealing with any health issues to avoid complications.]