Ocular Ischemic Syndrome Successfully Treated With Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of ocular ischemic syndrome successfully treated with delayed carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS). CASE SUMMARY: A 52-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of amaurosis fugax-like symptoms in the right eye for several months. His visual acuity was 0.8 in the right eye and he did not have rubeosis iridis. Neovascularization of the disc, narrowing of the retinal artery and multiple retinal hemorrhages were diagnosed by fundus examination. Fluorescein angiography showed delayed choroidal filling, a delayed arm-to-retina time, prolongation of arteriovenous transit time, neovascularization of the disc, retinal capillary nonperfusion, and staining of the retinal vessels. MR angiography showed severe stenosis in the proximal portion of the right carotid artery. We diagnosed this case as ocular ischemic syndrome. The patient was recommended carotid angioplasty and stenting at the severely narrowed portion of the right carotid artery, but it was postponed about six months after diagnosis because of personal problems. At the final follow-up, 24 months after stenting, the amaurosis fugax symptoms had disappeared, the patient had an improved visual acuity of 1.0, and the new vessels on the disc changed to fibrous tissue. Fluorescein angiography showed resolution of the delayed arm-to-retina time and prolongation of the arteriovenous transit time, disappearances of the leakage around the disc and the retinal capillary nonperfusion.