ABSTRACT A 57-year-old male presented with persistent visual blurring in his right eye, unrelieved by recently dispensed progressive addition lenses. Comprehensive optometric evaluation revealed a best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 6/12 in the right eye, not improving with pinhole testing. Anterior segment findings and intraocular pressure were within normal limits. Fundus examination demonstrated features of retinal arteriosclerosis, including arteriolar narrowing, copper wiring, and Grade II–III arteriovenous crossing changes, with no evidence of diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy. Given the ocular findings and the presence of systemic risk factors, long-standing diabetes mellitus, poorly controlled hypertension, and hypothyroidism, a cardiology referral was advised. Treadmill stress testing demonstrated inducible myocardial ischemia, and subsequent coronary angiography revealed diffuse coronary artery disease with a critical distal left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent placement was performed. At 2-month follow-up, the patient reported resolution of visual symptoms, with BCVA improving to 6/6 in both eyes alongside improved systemic cardiovascular control. While a direct causal relationship cannot be established, this case highlights the role of retinal examination as an important clinical indicator prompting systemic vascular evaluation and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Mehta et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: