Sudden Visual Loss Case 1

A 50-year-old woman attends the emergency department (ED) complaining of a sudden reduction in left sided visual acuity.

On performing objective assessment, she has light perception only, on the left side. She is pain free and the eye looks normal externally. She has past medical history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. She is an active smoker.

A number of conditions could be included in the differential diagnoses. See if you can list three of them here.

You perform fundoscopic examination through a dilated pupil and note an obviously pale retina. You suspect a diagnosis of central retinal artery occlusion and after referral to ophthalmology, decide to institute treatment in the ED.

Which of the following treatments are appropriate for this condition? Select the statements which are true.