[Retinal vascular occlusions: diagnosis and management].

PURPOSE

The diagnosis of retinal venous and arterial occlusions is usually easily evoked on visual symptoms and ophthalmoscopic features. However, their management (etiologic explorations and treatment) has not been formally established and remains controversial.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS

Some retinal vascular occlusions may result of loco-regional ocular causes. They more often occur in patients with cardiovascular pathologies or risk factors, or sometimes other systemic diseases that need to be recognized for a proper treatment. Therefore, a comprehensive management of patients with retinal vascular occlusions is necessary to correct associated diseases or predisposing abnormalities that could lead to local recurrences or systemic events.

CONCLUSION

Along with a review of the literature, we suggest a practical approach for the management of retinal vascular occlusions, which requires a collaboration between the ophthalmologist and other physicians: general practitioner, cardiologist, internist... as appropriate according to each case.