Hollenhorst plaque with branch retinal artery occlusion causing a cherry red spot

Hollenhorst plaque with branch retinal artery occlusion causing a cherry red spot

Category(ies): Retina, Vitreous

Contributor: Matt Ward, MD

Cherry red spots classically occur after CENTRAL retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). The cherry red spot occurs because the choroidal and retinal circulation is separate. The richly vascularized sub-foveal choriocapillaris remains perfused after CRAO, but the surrounding retina becomes opaque due to edema as the tissue becomes ischemic.

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