Ophthalmic masquerades of the atherosclerotic carotids

• Main Authors: Anupriya Arthur, Anika Alexander, Simerpreet Bal, Ajith Sivadasan, Sanjith Aaron
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Mean deviation; non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy; short fluctuations; short wave automated perimetry; standard automated perimetry; Antimicrobial effect; conventional silicone oil; endophthalmitis agents; heavy silicone oil; Keratoconus; modified deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty; steep corneal curvature; Bevacizumab; branch retinal vein occlusion; intravitreal; macular edema; triamcinolone; Blindness; disability evaluation; quality of life; visual acuity; Mitomycin C; pterygium recurrence; pterygium surgery; subconjunctival bevacizumab injection; Imaging in glaucoma; optical coherence tomography; pediatric; retinal nerve fiber layer; Autogenous tissue grafting; lacrimal drainage system; lacrimal fossa; bypass surgery; Cornea; excimer laser; growth factors; myopia; photorefractive keratectomy; Triamcinolone acetonide; human trabecular meshwork cells; in vitro; Hyperopic implantable collamer lens; myopic implantable collamer lens; optical quality; wavefront aberrations; Dacryocystorhinostomy; nasolacrimal duct obstruction; silicone tube; Age; anterior chamber depth; body height; primary angle closure glaucoma; sex; Children; eye injury vitrectomy study; eye injury; trauma; vitrectomy; Corneal biomechanics; corneal hysteresis; corneal resistance factor; intraocular pressure; keratoplasty; ocular response analyser; Aspherical intraocular lens; quality of vision; spherical aberrations; Benign; excision; lids and caruncle; no recurrence; ocular FH; inflammation; sterile endophthalmitis; Carotid artery disease; ocular ischemic syndrome; retinal emboli
• Online Access: http://www.ijo.in/article.asp?issn=0301-4738;year=2014;volume=62;issue=4;spage=472;epage=476;aulast=Arthur
• ISSN: 0301-4738; 1998-3689

Patients with carotid atherosclerosis can present with ophthalmic symptoms. These symptoms and signs can be due to retinal emboli, hypoperfusion of the retina and choroid, opening up of collateral channels, or chronic hypoperfusion of the globe (ocular ischemic syndrome). These pathological mechanisms can produce many interesting signs and a careful history can bring out important past symptoms pointing toward the carotid as the source of the patient′s presenting symptom. Such patients are at high risk for an ischemic stroke, especially in the subsequent few days following their first acute symptom. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with these ophthalmic symptoms and signs caused by carotid atherosclerosis for making an early diagnosis and to take appropriate measures to prevent a stroke. This review elaborates the clinical features, importance, and implications of various ophthalmic symptoms and signs resulting from atherosclerotic carotid artery disease.