Symptomatic and asymptomatic retinal embolism have different mechanisms.

Purpose: To investigate differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic retinal embolism regarding the frequency and source of cerebral microemboli.

Methods: Thirty-seven patients with transient monocular blindness or retinal infarction and 27 patients (29 eyes) with asymptomatic retinal embolism were prospectively enrolled. Patients underwent a transcranial Doppler study and noninvasive imaging of the cervical internal carotid arteries (ICA).

Echocardiographic findings of patients with retinal ischemia or embolism.

Background And Purpose: A potential source of emboli is not detected in more than 50% of patients with retinal arterial occlusive events. Echocardiographic studies are not always included in the diagnostic workup of these patients. The authors studied the diagnostic yield of transthoracic (TTE) and/or transesophageal (TEE) echocardiography in identifying potential sources of emboli in patients with retinal ischemia or embolism.

Retinal ischemia and embolism. Etiologies and outcomes based on a prospective study.

Objectives: To identify the most likely mechanisms of retinal ischemia and embolism in a hospital-referred population, and to determine the frequency of recurrent vascular events during the 3-month period following initial presentation.

Methods: Consecutive patients presenting to 2 tertiary medical centers and their outpatient clinics were prospectively enrolled over a 22-month period. Eligible patients presented with histories of transient or permanent monocular visual loss, or had evidence of asymptomatic retinal embolism on routine ophthalmological examination.

Ophthalmic artery microembolism in giant cell arteritis.

A 70-year-old man presented with a history of headache and sudden loss of vision of the left eye. Funduscopic examination showed sector retinal edema and hemorrhage as well as optic disc swelling consistent with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The Westergren sedimentation rate was 66 mm/h.

Cerebral microembolism in patients with retinal ischemia.

Background And Purpose: We investigated the frequency of cerebral microembolism detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in patients with clinical evidence of retinal ischemia, including transient monocular blindness, central and branch retinal artery infarction, and ischemic oculopathy, and assessed its correlation with carotid artery stenosis.

Methods: Records of 331 consecutive patients examined during a 47-month period at the Neurovascular Laboratory were reviewed. Of the original 453 intracranial arteries, 186 middle cerebral arteries (MCAs) satisfied qualifying criteria that excluded patients with cardiac embolic sources.