Combined Central Retinal Artery and Vein Occlusion

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Article initiated by:

Katherine Han, Edward M. Nash, Sachin Pathuri, Jainam Shah, Anurag Shrivastava, MD, Bruce Becker, MD, Andrew Go Lee, MD

All contributors:

Katherine Han, Edward M. Nash, Sachin Pathuri, Jainam Shah, Anurag Shrivastava, MD, Andrew Go Lee, MD, Bruce Becker, MD

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Article summary goes here.

Background

Combined central retinal artery and vein occlusion (CRAO/CRVO) is a rare, vision-threatening retinal vascular disorder involving both the central retinal artery and central retinal vein in the same eye. It typically presents with acute, painless, monocular vision loss and presents with fundoscopic findings of arterial ischemia, such as retinal whitening, alongside signs of venous obstruction, including retinal hemorrhages and dilated, tortuous veins. Visual outcomes vary, but extensive retinal ischemia can result in severe vision loss and neovascular complications.

The population incidence and prevalence of combined CRAO/CRVO are not well established. In a retrospective series of 5,151 patients with retinal vascular occlusions, Raval et al. identified 17 cases (0.3%) of combined retinal arterial and venous occlusion, nine of which involved both the central retinal artery and central retinal vein. Although uncommon, combined CRAO/CRVO warrants a comprehensive ophthalmic assessment and stroke evaluation given its potential for irreversible vision loss and association with underlying vascular, inflammatory, or hypercoagulable conditions.