
An eye stroke, or retinal artery occlusion, is a medical emergency that occurs when a clot or narrowing of the blood vessels in the retina interrupts blood flow, potentially causing permanent damage and sight loss. While it is a serious condition, there are ways to improve one's vision after an eye stroke. This includes eye exercises, limb activation treatment, visual scanning training, and visual training. These methods stimulate the brain and encourage neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to reorganise itself. Additionally, certain medical treatments and procedures can be used to dissolve blood clots and improve blood flow to the retina.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Definition | An eye stroke is the result of a blood clot or narrowing of the blood vessels in the retina, causing an interruption to the blood flow. |
Cause | The interruption of blood flow is usually due to the narrowing of the blood vessels because of fatty plaque buildup or a blood clot. |
Risk Factors | Personal or family history of atherosclerosis, previous heart attack or stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol. |
Symptoms | Floaters, blurred vision, vision loss, pain or pressure, bleeding. |
Diagnosis | Dilating the eyes with drops, using a dye and a camera to take pictures of the retina, checking pressure inside the eye using a puff of air, slit-lamp examination, vision tests. |
Treatment | Medicines that dissolve blood clots, a procedure to move the clot away from the retina, widening the arteries in the retina with an inhaled gas, clot-dissolving medications, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, corticosteroids, pan-retinal photocoagulation therapy, high-pressure oxygen. |
Prevention | Regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, working with a dietician, avoiding/quitting smoking, managing other health conditions. |
Complications | Macular edema, neovascularization, neovascular glaucoma, blindness. |
Outlook | Early treatment improves outcomes. Follow-ups with a doctor are recommended to monitor eye health and prevent complications. |
What You'll Learn
Seek immediate medical attention
Eye strokes are a medical emergency and require immediate attention. Quick and appropriate action can help prevent permanent eye damage and vision loss.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention:
- Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision
- Pain in the eye, especially if it is severe or accompanied by a headache
- Double vision
- Seeing flashing lights or floaters
- Sensitivity to light
- Feeling of pressure in the eye
- Redness, swelling, or discharge in the eye
Do not delay care, as it can lead to more serious complications and even permanent vision loss.
In the case of sudden vision loss or changes, get to an emergency room or an eye specialist as quickly as possible. An eye specialist can diagnose and treat a wide range of eye emergencies and provide long-term care and follow-up for eye emergencies. They can also advise on preventing eye emergencies and protecting your eye health.
It is important to note that eye strokes are a warning sign of future brain strokes. By seeking immediate medical attention for an eye stroke, you are taking a vital step to protect your overall health.
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Get a diagnosis from an eye doctor
If you are experiencing vision loss or partial vision loss in one eye, you should seek immediate medical attention as it could be a sign of an eye stroke. An eye stroke is a medical emergency and can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.
An eye doctor, or ophthalmologist, will be able to perform a series of tests to diagnose an eye stroke. These tests are painless and may include:
- Dilating the eyes with eye drops to get a better view of the retina
- Fluorescein angiography, which involves injecting a dye and using a camera to take pictures of the retina
- Checking the pressure inside the eye with a puff of air
- A slit-lamp examination, which uses eye drops, a special light, and a microscope to examine the inside of the eyes
- Vision tests, such as reading eye charts and checking peripheral vision
Once an eye stroke is diagnosed, treatment should be given as soon as possible to minimize damage to the retina. Treatment options may include medications to dissolve blood clots, procedures to move the clot away from the retina, or widening the arteries in the retina with an inhaled gas.
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Receive treatment to dissolve blood clots
Receiving treatment to dissolve blood clots is a crucial aspect of improving eye stroke outcomes. Eye strokes, or retinal artery occlusions, occur when blood clots or narrowed blood vessels interrupt blood flow to the retina, threatening permanent vision loss. Thus, timely treatment is essential to minimise damage and restore eyesight.
Medications that dissolve blood clots are a primary treatment option for eye strokes. These clot-busting drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), can be infused directly into the blocked ophthalmic artery to break down the clot and restore blood flow to the retina. This treatment is time-sensitive and should ideally be administered within 6 to 12 hours of losing vision to prevent irreversible damage.
In addition to clot-dissolving medications, other procedures can be employed to address blood clots during an eye stroke. One such procedure involves using a technique called fluorescein angiography, where a dye is injected into the arm, allowing doctors to visualise the retina's veins and arteries more clearly. This helps confirm the diagnosis and guide further treatment.
Another approach to treating blood clots in eye strokes is through a procedure that helps move the clot away from the retina. By physically displacing the clot, blood flow can be restored to the affected area, reducing the risk of permanent vision loss.
Furthermore, retinal specialists may utilise advanced technology such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) to diagnose and treat eye strokes effectively. OCT is a non-invasive imaging technique that can detect microscopic changes in the retina within minutes of a blockage, enabling rapid and accurate diagnosis, which is crucial for timely treatment.
While receiving treatment to dissolve blood clots is essential, it is also important to note that preventing eye strokes is equally crucial. Regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks, maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen, and managing underlying health conditions like diabetes can all contribute to lowering the risk of eye strokes.
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Improve your diet and exercise routine
While there are eye exercises that can help improve your vision post-stroke, diet and exercise are also important factors in your recovery.
Improve your diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for your overall health, but some foods are particularly beneficial for eye health. Include the following in your diet:
- Fruits and vegetables, especially dark, leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and collards, as well as carrots and peppers, and other foods that are rich in vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Eggs, nuts, beans, and other non-meat protein sources.
- Water, to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to dry eyes and blurred vision.
Exercise your body
Regular physical exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight and overall health, which can help reduce your risk of having another stroke. It can also help improve your eye health by increasing blood flow to the eyes and improving eye muscle strength and control. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, or cycling, most days of the week.
In addition to general exercise, you can also try specific eye exercises to help improve your vision. These include:
- Directional tracking: Hold a pencil at eye level, about 18 inches from your face, and slowly move it from left to right and then up and down without moving your head. This helps retrain the eye muscles and improve eye health.
- Clock rotations: Fix your gaze straight ahead, then look directly up, holding the gaze for a few seconds, before returning to a forward gaze. Repeat this process, looking at each number on an imaginary clock in turn.
- Near/Far focusing: Hold your finger at arm's length, then breathe in while looking at your finger and breathe out while gazing into the distance past your finger. Repeat this 10 times.
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Manage your blood pressure, cholesterol and eye pressure levels
To improve your eye health after a stroke, it is important to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and eye pressure levels. Here are some detailed steps to help you with this:
Manage Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in the retina, which is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that transmits light and images to the brain. This damage is known as hypertensive retinopathy and can lead to vision loss. To manage your blood pressure, it is recommended to:
- Eat a healthy diet with less than 1,500 milligrams of salt per day.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day.
- Quit smoking.
- Practice stress relief techniques such as meditation and yoga.
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice if it is high.
Manage Cholesterol
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for eye strokes. To manage your cholesterol levels:
- Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and unsaturated fats.
- Work with a dietician, if possible, to create a personalized plan.
- Get regular exercise, aiming for at least 2.5 hours of physical activity per week as per the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Manage Eye Pressure
Ocular hypertension refers to high pressure inside the eye, which can lead to glaucoma and vision loss. While it usually doesn't cause symptoms, regular eye exams can help detect it. To manage eye pressure:
- Follow your eye care provider's recommendations for medications and regular eye exams.
- Protect your eyes by wearing protective gear during sports and resting them when working on screens.
- Avoid eye infections, especially if you wear contact lenses.
- Keep your overall health in check by eating a healthy diet, staying active, and managing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
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Frequently asked questions
An eye stroke, or retinal artery occlusion, is the result of a blood clot or narrowing of the blood vessels in the retina, causing an interruption to the blood flow. The eyes depend on the flow of oxygen-rich blood to function. The retina plays a crucial role in sending visual signals to the brain.
The first and main symptom is usually a sudden loss of vision or change in vision in one eye. This may include blind spots or darkness, floaters and flashes, and vision changes that start out small but get worse over time.
There are several treatments for eye strokes, including medications to reduce pressure in the eye or dissolve blood clots, laser treatment to close up leaking blood vessels, and eye exercises to stimulate the brain and encourage neuroplasticity.