Painless loss of vision: rapid diagnosis of a central retinal artery occlusion utilizing point-of-care ultrasound

ABSTRACT Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential part of the evaluation of vision loss among emergency physicians in the emergency department (ED). It is frequently used to evaluate for vitreous hemorrhage, foreign bodies, retinal detachment, optic neuritis and posterior vitreous de...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oxford Medical Case Reports 2021-06, Vol.2021 (6)
Main Authors: Taylor, Gregory M, Evans, Daniel, Doggette, Robert P, Wallace, Ryan C, Flack, Andrew T, Kennedy, Sarah K
Format: Article
Language:English
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Case Report
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Summary:ABSTRACT Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an essential part of the evaluation of vision loss among emergency physicians in the emergency department (ED). It is frequently used to evaluate for vitreous hemorrhage, foreign bodies, retinal detachment, optic neuritis and posterior vitreous detachment; however, it can also be used to evaluate for a central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). A POCUS can reveal a hyperechoic density in the optic nerve sheath just proximal to the retinal surface, and this is referred to as a retrobulbar ‘spot sign’ (RBSS). We present the case of an 88-year-old male that presented to our community ED with a painless loss of vision to his right eye. A POCUS revealed an RBSS of the central retinal artery and he was subsequently diagnosed with a CRAO. At his 1-month follow-up, he has regained light perception and 15% of his vision, however, remains with significant visual impairment.
ISSN:2053-8855
2053-8855
DOI:10.1093/omcr/omab038