Retinal artery occlusions are caused by the blockage of blood flow to the retina, causing a sudden loss of vision in one eye.
A retinal artery occlusion is essentially an “eye stroke.” This is where blood flow is blocked and oxygen cannot get to the eye. Various causes include clots, plaques, sickle cell, diabetes, and inflammation (Giant Cell Arteritis) causing the artery to no longer be open. Any retinal artery occlusion should be taken seriously as it may be a warning for a more serious systemic condition that can be life-threatening.