[Cardiovascular and hemostaseological view of retinal vascular occlusions].
BACKGROUND
Sudden pain-free impairment of vision often occurs due to acute occlusions of retinal blood vessels. Retinal vascular occlusion can be distinguished into the more frequent venous and to a lesser degree arterial events but mixed pictures also occur.


OBJECTIVE
Summary of the current literature regarding interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy of retinal blood vessel occlusions.


METHODS
Selective literature review considering clinically relevant cardiovascular and hemostaseological aspects.


RESULTS
The anatomical localization of the occlusion by the ophthalmologist can give important indications for further medical diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Arterial occlusions are mostly caused by thromboembolisms and the source should be identified and treated. Venous occlusions are mostly due to local processes with a prothrombotic background or venous stasis associated with arterial hypertension. Prognostically, the localization, extent and duration of retinal ischemia are decisive factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascular ocular occlusions are frequently secondary to internal disorders and therefore pose an interdisciplinary challenge.
Institut für Hämostaseologie, Hämotherapie und Transfusionsmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät, Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland, Holger.Seidel@med.uni-duesseldorf.de.
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D002309:Cardiology / Q000639:trends; D006405:Hematology / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000639:trends; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*