Optometry and the carotid artery.

BACKGROUND

Carotid artery disease may directly cause stroke and is an important indicator of other forms of cardiovascular disease. Patients with carotid artery disease often have visual symptoms as the first sign of their illness and therefore may present to the optometrist as they enter the health care system.

METHODS

The previous ophthalmic and medical literature was evaluated and organized into a cohesive review of the literature and recommendations for treatment and management of patients with carotid artery disease.

RESULTS

Ocular findings include retinal emboli, retinal artery occlusion, amaurosis fugax, hypoperfusion retinopathy, and the ocular ischemia syndrome. Each of these has a different relative risk for stroke and vision loss and must be managed accordingly.

CONCLUSIONS

The optometrist as a primary provider of eye and health care may well be the first health practitioner to evaluate a patient with carotid artery disease. The ability to recognize, differentiate, and manage the variety of presentations of this disease can preserve sight, quality of life, and even life itself.