Episode 079

Eye on Eye Stroke: New Treatment for Central Retinal Artery Occlusion

Your Eye-Q Question for the Week:

Could Sudden Vision Loss Be An Eye Stroke?

The Eye-Q Podcast Episode 30 Cover - Landscape.png

Can an Eye Stroke Be Treated? What Causes Sudden Vision Loss?

In Episode 79 of The Eye-Q Podcast™, Dr. Rani (Rudrani) Banik, MD sits down with retina specialist Dr. Gareth Lema to answer these important questions and discuss one of ophthalmology's true emergencies: central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), commonly known as an eye stroke.

For years, patients with an eye stroke had few treatment options. Today, that is beginning to change. Dr. Lema explains how Mount Sinai developed an innovative multidisciplinary stroke protocol that allows selected patients with acute retinal artery occlusion to receive clot-dissolving treatment (tPA) when they arrive quickly enough—offering new hope for saving vision.

In this episode, you'll learn:

✅ What an eye stroke is and why it happens

✅ What causes sudden painless vision loss in one eye

✅ How retinal artery occlusions differ from retinal vein occlusions

✅ Why time is retina—and why every minute matters

✅ Can an eye stroke be treated?

✅ Can vision return after an eye stroke?

✅ The warning signs that require immediate emergency care

✅ How OCT imaging helps diagnose eye strokes rapidly

✅ Why an eye stroke can be a warning sign for future brain stroke or heart disease

✅ Lifestyle habits that support healthy blood vessels and may help reduce stroke risk

Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or healthcare professional, this episode could help you recognize an eye stroke and understand why acting quickly may save vision—and even save a life.

About My Guest Gareth Lema, MD, PhD is a fellowship-trained retina specialist at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. He specializes in retinal vascular disease, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and retinal surgery. Dr. Lema helped pioneer Mount Sinai's multidisciplinary protocol for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), bringing together ophthalmology, neurology, emergency medicine, and interventional neuroradiology to improve outcomes for patients experiencing an eye stroke.

Connect with Dr. Gareth Lema

https://profiles.mountsinai.org/gareth-lema https://www.linkedin.com/in/garethlema/ https://www.facebook.com/GLRetina/

https://www.instagram.com/garethlemamdphd/

Connect with Dr. Rani Banik

🌐 Website: https://www.drranibanik.com

🛍 Shop: https://shop.rudranibanikmd.com

📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrRaniBanik

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.ranibanik

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnVisionHealthNYC

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:45 What is an eye stroke?