Retina
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Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) and branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) may be a result of platelet-fibrin emboli, cholesterol plaques, or calcific emboli that typically lodge at the bifurcation of retinal arterioles or at a location as the vessel narrows. Hollenhorst plaques (cholesterol emboli) can often be seen at the site of vessel obstruction. Obstruction of blood flow results in partial or complete retinal ischemia and sudden loss of vision. There is no effective therapy for CRAO and BRAO. The authors employed the Nd:YAG laser to photodisrupt emboli within the central retinal artery (CRA) and branch retinal arteries (BRA) to achieve rapid reperfusion of the retina. ⋯ Photodisruption of an embolus within an occluded CRA or BRA can be achieved via TYL/E. Rapid reperfusion of the retina is associated with anatomic and visual acuity improvement. Translumenal Nd:YAG embolysis or embolectomy of a visible embolus in patients with CRAO or BRAO can be achieved resulting in restoration of retinal blood flow and improved visual function.