title: Ophthalmic masquerades of the atherosclerotic carotids.
abstract: Patients with carotid atherosclerosis can present with ophthalmic symptoms. These symptoms and signs can be due to retinal emboli, hypoperfusion of the retina and choroid, opening up of collateral channels, or chronic hypoperfusion of the globe (ocular ischemic syndrome). These pathological mechanisms can produce many interesting signs and a careful history can bring out important past symptoms pointing toward the carotid as the source of the patient's presenting symptom. Such patients are at high risk for an ischemic stroke, especially in the subsequent few days following their first acute symptom. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with these ophthalmic symptoms and signs caused by carotid atherosclerosis for making an early diagnosis and to take appropriate measures to prevent a stroke. This review elaborates the clinical features, importance, and implications of various ophthalmic symptoms and signs resulting from atherosclerotic carotid artery disease.
authors.forename: Anupriya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: Anika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Simerpreet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.forename: Ajith
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sivadasan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Neurology Unit, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Sanjith
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aaron
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology