Transient branch retinal artery occlusion in a 15-year-old girl and review of the literature

Abstract

Background. Retinal artery occlusion is an extremely rare diagnosis in the pediatric population and the etiology with risk factors of retinal artery occlusion are poorly understood in younger individuals. Methods and Results. This case report a rare case of transient branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) in a healthy young girl. A fifteen-year-old girl presented with painless decreased vision in her right eye. Fundus examination revealed in the right eye intensive edema of the part of superior half of the retina, but the vessels were absolutely normal. She was hospitalized for diagnosis and treatment. A thorough workup was performed to determine any etiologic factor. Her physical examination was normal, but from anamnesis has been found that patient began use oral contraception at the time of occurrence eye problems. The condition is evaluated as transient branch retinal artery occlusion by the course of the disease. The paper includes the review of the literature also. Conclusion. Though retinal arterial obstruction is rare in the pediatric population, this case highlights the importance of including this in the differential diagnosis of acute vision loss.