Central retinal artery occlusion

Understanding Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is a serious medical event characterized by the sudden loss of vision in one eye. This typically occurs when an artery supplying the retina becomes blocked, often by a cholesterol crystal that travels into the retinal circulation. If the blockage is not cleared, the portion of the retina supported by that artery suffers permanent damage, resulting in vision loss.

Current medical treatments for CRAO are limited. Some practitioners utilize intraocular injections, similar to those used for macular degeneration, while others explore hyperbaric oxygen therapy. In some cases, high doses of steroids are administered in an attempt to preserve remaining vision.

Case Study: A Patient’s Journey to Recovery

On May 8, 2014, a 71-year-old woman experienced a sudden "dark cloud" over her left eye, resulting in a complete loss of vision. Over the following days, the vision partially cleared, shifting into a "pink cloud." She suffered from a total loss of depth perception and extreme dizziness triggered by head or eye movements. Furthermore, she experienced reduced color vision – particularly with the color red – and felt overwhelmed in complex visual environments, such as shopping centers or the symphony. She also reported that her eyes no longer felt as though they were working in unison.

Upon examination three weeks after the event, the patient was legally blind in her left eye (20/200). Her right eye measured 20/25-2. She exhibited poor contrast sensitivity, impaired color vision, and a complete lack of stereopsis (3D vision). Due to profound instability and dizziness, she relied on various walking canes to navigate. Her medical history included glaucoma, hypertension, thyroid issues, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoporosis, and a history of LASIK surgery. Despite receiving occupational and physical therapy for her balance, her progress remained limited.

The coMra Therapy Intervention

The patient began a course of coMra therapy, consisting of six weekly sessions. The treatment protocol utilized was Universal 1 combined with the Optic Neuritis protocol. This involved two minutes of treatment at the temple, followed by one minute of scanning over the eye bone above and below the eye, and one minute on the lateral aspect of each eye, with the patient’s eyes closed and adducted (turned toward the nose).

Following the very first treatment, the patient reported a significant improvement in her balance and dizziness – a result that surprised her occupational and physical therapists. Additionally, her vision in the left eye improved from 20/200 to 20/50.

Results and Long-Term Progress

After completing the six-session course, the patient’s progress was remarkable: * Visual Acuity: She could see more clearly, and her startle response to objects approaching from her left side diminished. * Mobility: Her maneuverability in tight spaces improved, and she rarely experienced dizziness or visual overwhelm. She eventually ceased using her canes entirely. * Quality of Life: She was able to return to the symphony and navigate environments independently. Her husband noted a significant change in their dog’s behavior; the dog, which had previously acted as a constant, worried companion, now allowed her to go out alone.

By the end of the six sessions, her visual acuity had reached 20/25-1 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left. Contrast sensitivity and color vision also showed marked improvement, and she regained some stereopsis.

One-Year Follow-Up

When the patient returned for a one-year follow-up, her ophthalmologist noted a surprising lack of cellular degeneration. Typically, when retinal tissue is deprived of blood, the tissue degenerates posteriorly; the absence of this degeneration was highly significant.

While the "cloud" remained, the patient learned to shift her gaze to move it out of her field of vision. Her visual improvements remained stable, and she regained the confidence to drive locally. Her best-corrected vision in the left eye further improved to 20/30-2, and her stereo vision improved to 160 seconds. Given the ongoing progression of her glaucoma, future coMra therapy sessions were recommended to support her continued ocular health.