Carotid-Cavernous Fistula and Glaucoma: Venous Hypertension at the Eye
Early signs of a CCF can include a red, swollen eye, a bulging eyeball (proptosis), a noise like a whoosh in the head (bruit), and vision changes....
Ocular Bruit
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ocular bruit
An ocular bruit is an audible sound caused by turbulent blood flow near the eye or in the orbit, and it can sometimes be heard by an examiner with a stethoscope or even perceived by the patient as a whooshing or buzzing sensation. The noise is produced when blood moves rapidly through an abnormal connection between arteries and veins or through narrowed vessels, creating turbulence that radiates to the area around the eye. It is not a normal finding and usually points to a vascular problem that affects blood flow to or from the eye. Hearing this sound is a helpful clinical clue because it signals a high-flow condition that may need prompt investigation. The presence of an ocular bruit often coincides with other signs such as a red eye, pulsating bulging, or changes in vision. Detecting this sound leads clinicians to order imaging studies to locate the source and understand its severity. Treating the underlying vascular cause can reduce the abnormal flow and the bruit itself, and it can also prevent complications such as increased eye pressure or vision loss. Because an ocular bruit can indicate serious vascular disease, quick evaluation by specialists is advised.