No Evidence for Retinal Damage Evolving from Reduced Retinal Blood Flow in Carotid Artery Disease.

Introduction. Carotid artery disease (CAD) comprising high-grade internal carotid artery stenosis (CAS) or carotid artery occlusion (CAO)may lead to ipsilateral impaired cerebral blood low and reduced retinal blood supply. Objective. To examine the influence of chronic CAD on retinal blood low, retinal morphology, and visual function. Methods. Patients with unilateral CAS ≥ 50% (ECST criteria) or CAO were grouped according to the grade of the stenosis and to the low direction of the ophthalmic artery (OA). Retinal perfusion was measured by transorbital duplex ultrasound, assessing central retinal artery (CRA) blood low velocities. In addition, optic nerve and optic nerve sheath diameter were measured. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed to study retinal morphology. Visual function was assessed using high- and low-contrast visual paradigms. Results. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled. Eyes with CAS ≥ 80%/CAO and retrograde OA blood low showed a significant reduction in CRA peak systolic velocity (no-CAD side: 0.130 ± 0.035m/s, CAS/CAO side: 0.098 ± 0.028; p = 0.005; p=12). OCT, optic nerve thicknesses, and visual functional parameters did not show a significant difference. Conclusion. Despite assessable hemodynamic effects, chronic high-grade CAD does not lead to gaugeable morphological or functional changes of the retina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]