Painless and possibly irreversible – the eye can have a stroke of its own

I’VE written before about seeking urgent help if someone has signs of a stroke.

Fast treatment can help prevent further damage, so it’s worth dialling 999.

A stroke is of course when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.

There’s a type of problem which is similar to a stroke but affects the back of the eye.

It’s called retinal artery occlusion and, much like a stroke, needs urgent medical attention.

The retina, the lining at the back of your eye which converts light rays into nerve impulses, is supplied with blood through the retinal artery.

If this channel becomes blocked – either through a build-up of fatty plaques, a blood clot or a mixture of both – then the blood and nutrient supply to the retina is stopped.

This leads to sudden severe loss of vision in the affected eye – which is usually painless.

Rapid treatment is needed to restore vision.

An opthamologist can administer various treatments, such as clot-busting drugs, depending on the cause.

The success of these treatments is mixed, however. Prevention, as ever, is better than cure.

Most cases of retinal artery occlusion are thought to be caused by the same things as strokes.

If you have high blood pressure or cholesterol then getting those treated is a good start.

Stopping smoking and managing diabetes well are important, as are regular exercise and keeping your weight down.

But, much like a stroke, rapid loss of vision, especially if it’s painless is a medical emergency. When in doubt, dial 999 or get along to hospital.

And as with mini strokes, you should see a doctor quickly even if symptoms recover after a few minutes, as this could be a warning for something more permanent.