1,2Lerche R. C., 2Richard G.

1Universitäts-Augenklinik, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg; 2Universitäts-Augenklinik, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg

Purpose: Constrictions of the carotid arteries have been proposed as one of the most common causes of retinal artery occlusion. Embolization from these vessels may result in severe loss of visual function. The aim of this study was to determine degree of artherosclerosis and hemodynamic dysfunction of carotid arteries.
Patients: Doppler sonography and unenhanced color-coded Duplex sonography were performed in 161 patients 2 to 14 days after retinal artery occlusion. Stenotic findings and plaque morphology were correlated to ocular findings and other systemic artherosclerotic risk factors. 101 patients (mean age 66 +/-12 years) with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and 60 patients (mean age 67 years +/-10 years) with branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) were included. For diagnostic evaluation and occlusional grading carotids were investigated with a linear array transducer for detectability, systolic peak and mean velocity and compared to ultrasonic findings of 40 healthy subjects without any vascular risk factor.
Results: Doppler and Duplex measurements of 70 individuals (43,5%) with retinal artery occlusion showed changes of the carotid arteries. Hemodynamic stenosis was found in 15 patients (9,3%), an occlusion in 2 patients (1,3%). A correlation between ultrasonic findings and onset or severity of retinal artery occlusion couldn´t be proved.
Conclusion: Compared to healthy subjects ultrasonic measurements of our patients confirm the aetiological relation between pathological changes in the carotid arteries and occlusion of the retinal arteries. It is suggested that flow changes correlate with individual artherosclerotic risk factors and symptoms of artherosclerosis before the onset of CRAO/BRAO.

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