title: The diagnostic challenge of occult large vessel ischemia of the retina and choroid.
abstract: Vascular occlusions of the retina and choroid can cause severe visual loss. These occlusions can occur as a result of systemic disease or after surgery. In most cases, the retinal appearance provides evidence of ischemia as the cause of visual loss. On occasion, however, clinical examination shows no objective signs of vascular occlusion, and this can lead the clinician to suspect optic nerve pathology as the cause of visual loss. This paper outlines some of the diagnostic criteria, clinical findings, and ancillary studies that can be used to differentiate between occult occlusion of the retina or choroid and optic nerve disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Zacks
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Rizzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015356:Retinal Artery Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields