Vision loss after central retinal artery occlusion secondary to orbital sarcoid mass

The authors describe the first report in the literature of central retinal artery occlusion as the presenting manifestation of sarcoidosis. A 33-year-old man with asthma, headache, and 6 days of intermittent, transient vision loss in the OS presented with persistent vision loss in the OS. Ophthalmic examination was consistent with diagnosis of central retinal artery occlusion in the OS. Vascular imaging with CT angiography revealed an incidental finding of an intraconal mass surrounding the left optic nerve and hilar lymphadenopathy. Bronchoscopic lymph node biopsy demonstrated noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. This case proffers a unique mechanism of vision loss in sarcoidosis and highlights that atypical causes of central retinal artery occlusion must be considered in patients without typical risk factors.