Chronic ocular ischaemia.

Patients with carotid artery occlusive disease may develop ocular changes in both the anterior and posterior segments of the eye caused by chronic ischaemia. Four cases are reported with a wide variety of the characteristic ocular ischaemic symptoms and signs. Pulsed Doppler spectral analysis of the precerebral carotid arteries was used to detect the presence of relevant carotid occlusive disease. Diagnosis and therepy require an interdisciplinary approach, to prevent cerebral stroke and to preserve ocular function.