Branch retinal artery occlusion in a child.

BACKGROUND: Retinal artery occlusive events are unusual in the paediatric population. The average age of their occurrence is 60 years and the aetiology most often related to cardiovascular disease.

CASE REPORT: A healthy 11-year-old white girl developed permanent unilateral visual field loss as a result of a branch retinal artery occlusion. An extensive work-up included transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiograms, routine haematological and biochemical testing including serum lipids, screening for thrombophilia and thrombolysis, as well as autoantibodies, all of which proved to be within normal limits.

CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of the underlying aetiology is not always possible, but should be sought as prognosis for vision or survival may rest upon these findings.