Retinal artery occlusion (RAO) is a frequent cause of sudden, painless, monocular visual loss.
Many patients with symptomatic RAO also have systemic vascular diseases that may increase
the risk of future ipsilateral hemispheric cerebral vascular events. For healthcare professionals
who assess patients with RAO, knowledge of the possible ocular and systemic causes may not
only improve the patient’s visual prognosis, but may also reduce its associated mortality and
morbidity by encouraging prompt and appropriate referrals.
