Genetic, Risk Factors, Pathogenesis and Systemic Diseases in Retinal Artery Occlusion

Retinal artery occlusions (RAO) are considered as a ocular emergency. It has been estimated to occur with a frequency of about one per 10,000 outpatient visits.It is usually seen over sixties and can be seen in younger age groups.Retinal artery occlusions are not hereditary diseases but can develop secondary to some hereditary diseases. The most important risk factors for RAO include smoking, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, antiphospholipid syndrome, hyperhomocystinemia, acquired protein c deficiency. RAO usually develops due to embolism. Embolic sources are mostly carotid arteries or cardiac sources. RAO is associated with many systemic diseases. The most important of these diseases are HT, DM, cardiovascular diseases, renal diseases and temporal (giant cell) arteritis.Although the diagnosis can be made by funduscopic examination, Fundus fluorescein angiography and non-invasive methods, Optical coherence tomography and Optical coherence tomography angiography can be used.