Description
Acute occlusion of the central retinal artery is catastrophic leading to sudden loss of vision. Although in all cases re-circulation is established eventually the damage in most cases is permanent. Thromboembolism, vascular spasm, vasculitis, large vessel obstruction as well as ocular compression have all been blamed for its etiology. Visual acuity following central retinal artery occlusion may be spared if there is a patent cilioretinal artery, if the block is transient or is removed by immediate decompression of the eye. Presence of a patent cilioretinal artery in patients with a central retinal artery occlusion is well known and has been reported to be present in 26% of cases of which foveolar sparing occurs in about 11%. This communication presents a case of cilioretinal foveolar sparing in a case with a central retinal artery occlusion.
