Researchers test rapid diagnosis and treatment of eye stroke

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) along with a rapid remote consultation was used by researchers to speed up the diagnosis of eye stroke to expedite care and prevent vision loss.

Ophthalmologists at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) launched an Eye stroke service and analysed 59 patients over an 18 month period.

The researchers placed OCT devices in three hospitals for stroke teams to send scan images to remote on-call retinal specialists for instant diagnosis and prompt treatment, if needed.

Patients waited an average two and a half hours for treatment on arrival at the hospitals; 25 patients had a confirmed eye stroke and 10 were eligible for treatment.