Bilateral Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Abstract

Occlusion of a central artery of the retina is a not uncommon occurrence. It is usually associated with arteriosclerosis, or less often with embolization from endocarditis, but may also be seen with syphilis, periarteritis nodosa, polycythemia vera, thromboangiitis obliterans, and temporal arteritis. A much rarer condition, however, is the occlusion of both central retinal arteries. The following is a case report of a Negro woman with proved systemic lupus erythematosus, sickle cell trait, and active pulmonary tuberculosis who suffered complete occlusion of the left central retinal artery, followed 13 days later by complete occlusion of the right central artery. This patient was treated with cortisone. REPORT OF A CASE A 36-year-old Negro housewife was admitted to the University Division Chest Service of Kings County Hospital on May 21, 1954, because of malaise, fever, and productive cough. In 1951 the patient began to have mild temperature elevation, cervical adenopathy, and progressive