The diagnosis
The diagnosis of ocular embolism consists of several steps. First, the affected person is asked about his or her symptoms, usually about the limitation of vision. This is followed by an examination of the eye, during which the doctor looks into the eye with a special lamp (slit lamp).
In order to ensure a better view into the rear sections of the eye, the pupil is often “widely dripped”. Eye drops are used here, which cause the pupil to dilate. During this slit-lamp examination, the retina and its vessels can be assessed. In most cases, an embolism of the retinal vessels can already be seen there.
The treatment
Ideally, the treatment of ocular embolism is carried out before the disease occurs. In this case one speaks of prevention. Various risk factors that promote blood clotting can be treated with medication.
Blood clots can be prevented by means of blood thinning. Also the therapy of too high blood fat values and the therapy of blood sugar disease (diabetes mellitus) can reduce the risk of an embolism in the eye. If an embolism does occur, blood thinning is also the therapy of choice.In this way one tries to dissolve the blood clot as quickly as possible so that the affected retinal sections are supplied with blood again as quickly as possible.
If this does not succeed, new blood vessels are often formed in the eye within the next few months to replace the old clogged vessel. This so-called neovascularization can, however, increase the intraocular pressure or even cause the retina to detach. For this reason, laser treatment is used to prevent these vessel formations. In addition, growth-inhibiting substances are used, which are injected into the eye with a syringe. These are also intended to reduce the formation of new vessels.
The duration
An embolism in the eye is a blood clot that initially remains in the blood vessel unless the clot is dissolved by medication. After a few days, the body can dissolve the embolism on its own. In most cases, however, the long phase in which the affected parts of the retina were not supplied with blood causes consequential damage.
These secondary damages are treatable to a limited extent and often cause recurring problems. After an embolism in the eye, the risk of a further embolic event in the eye (or in other organs) is also increased. For this reason, consideration should be given here to long-term or even permanent treatment of the risk factors.
