2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
12 Retina and Vitreous
Part II: Disorders of the Retina and Vitreous
Chapter 06: Retinal Vascular Diseases Associated With Cardiovascular Disease
Arterial Occlusive Disease
Cilioretinal Artery Occlusion
A distinct clinical entity is the occlusion of the cilioretinal artery, which arises from the short posterior ciliary vessels rather than the central retinal artery. These vessels, which are present in about 18%–32% of eyes, usually contribute to some portion of the macular circulation. Most commonly, their occlusion occurs in patients with a central retinal vein occlusion; it is postulated that the increased hydrostatic pressure associated with CRVO can reduce blood flow in the cilioretinal artery to the point of stagnation.
When cilioretinal artery occlusion occurs in isolation, GCA should be considered.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 10 - Glaucoma. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.