Postprandial transient visual loss: A symptom of critical carotid stenosis

L. A. Levin, Venkateswara Mootha

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The authors report the association of transient visual loss after eating meals with severe carotid occlusive disease1 and propose a hypothesis for its pathophysiology. Methods: Description of clinical history and examination, radiologic and other studies in two patients with postprandial transient visual loss, and review of the literature for three related cases. Results: Two women, 59 and 65 years of age, presented with splotchy visual loss lasting up to more than 1 hour in the left and both eyes, respectively. In both patients, the visual loss was precipitated by eating a meal. Radiologic investigations revealed 90% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery in the first patient and occlusion of the right internal carotid artery and 40% to 70% stenosis of the left internal carotid artery in the second patient. Conclusions: Visual loss after eating a meal may result from hypoperfusion of the retinal and choroidal circulations and is suggestive of severe carotid occlusive disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)397-401
Number of pages5
JournalOphthalmology
Volume104
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

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