Advances in the treatment of ocular ischemic diseases related to atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis (AS) has high global incidence and mortality rates. Research on the pathogenesis of AS has progressed significantly, mainly focusing on the increase in low-density lipoprotein and inflammatory response. The complications of AS include myocardial infarction, stroke, disabling peripheral arterial disease, and blindness. Regarding ophthalmology, the incidence rate of ischemic eye diseases caused by AS, such as retinal artery occlusion (RAO) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO), acute ischemic optic neuropathy, chronic ischemic choroidal disease, and anterior ischemic open-angle glaucoma, has increased year by year. Ultimately, AS leads to severe visual impairment, placing a great burden on patients and society. This article reviews the pathogenesis, pathological process, complications, diagnosis, and treatment of AS-related ischemic ophthalmopathy, aiming to provide new treatment ideas for AS-related acute and chronic ischemic ophthalmopathy.