Cohort Study | Retinal artery occlusion linked to a 7-fold higher mortality rate from CV and cerebrovascular diseases

Summary: This nationwide cohort study analyzed the incidence of retinal artery occlusion (RAO) in Korea from 2002 to 2018, along with related mortality and causes of death. The incidence of RAO was found to be 7.38 per 100,000 person-years, with a higher incidence of noncentral RAO compared to central RAO.

Patients with RAO had a mortality rate about 7 times higher than the general population, primarily due to cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases. The findings emphasize the need to address the risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease in patients newly diagnosed with RAO.

Article: Incidence of Retinal Artery Occlusion and Related Mortality in Korea, 2005 to 2018 – JAMA Network Open

Invited Commentary: Long-term Management Considerations for Retinal Artery Occlusion and Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Mortality – JAMA Network Open