central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO)

Introduction

also see retinal artery occlusion

Clinical manifestations

• acute painless blurred monocular vision

Diagnostic procedures

• ophthalmoscopy:
  • retinal whitening with a cherry red spot in the fovea
  • constriction of an arteriole may be seen
  • retinal hemorrhages uncommon

Differential diagnosis

• central retinal vein occlusion
  • diffuse retinal hemorrhages
  • dilated tortuous veins
  • darker retinal background

More general terms

• retinal artery occlusion

Additional terms

• central retinal artery (Zinn artery)