What Is Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion?

Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion (BRAO) is a prevalent ocular vascular disorder caused by the blockage of a branch of the central retinal artery. BRAO accounts for 38% of all acute retinal artery obstructions. This blockage can lead to reduced blood flow to the retinal tissue, potentially resulting in vision loss.

Causes:

BRAO occurs due to obstruction of a branch of the central retinal artery. The most common cause is emboli originating from carotid plaques or cardiac disease, although other sources of emboli have also been reported. Less frequently, BRAO may be due to non-embolic factors such as vasospasm, inflammatory conditions, or hypercoagulable disorders.

BRAO may be associated with various conditions affecting the carotid, ophthalmic, or retinal arteries. These include Crohn's disease, Lyme disease, multifocal retinitis, Meniere's disease, migraine, prepapillary loops, Susac syndrome, toxoplasma chorioretinitis, sickle cell disease, Takayasu arteritis, Whipple disease, among others. It may also result from relative hypoperfusion due to increased intraocular pressure or decreased perfusion during a vasospastic event.

Symptoms:

The primary symptom of BRAO is sudden, painless vision loss in one eye. The extent of vision loss depends on the affected vessel. Typically, BRAO causes less severe vision loss compared to Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO) and is usually confined to a specific portion of the visual field. In more than half of BRAO cases, visual acuity is not significantly impaired. Approximately 74% of patients with permanent BRAO and 94% with transient BRAO retain a visual acuity of 20/40 or better.

Risk Factors:

Risk factors for BRAO include systemic conditions that contribute to vascular narrowing, such as hypertension, carotid occlusive disease or atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and hypercholesterolemia.

At Sanjeevan Netralaya Ayurvedic Eye Hospital, Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion (BRAO) is treated with great success.