Cilioretinal arteries. A study based on review of stereo fundus photographs and fluorescein angiographic findings
J. Justice Jr and R. P. Lehmann
The incidence of cilioretinal arteries in 2,000 eyes of 1,000 consecutive
patients was determined by review of stereo color fundus photographs and
fluorescein angiographs. One or more cilioretinal arteries were present in
49.5% of all patients or in 32.1% of the eyes. The arteries occurred
bilaterally in 14.6% and contributed to some portion of the macular
circulation in 18.7% of the patients. A great deal of variability of size,
number, and distribution of cilioretinal vessels was observed. Prior
studies that were based on direct visualization of the fundus have reported
cilioretinal arteries in 7% to 29.6% of patients examined. Careful review
of stereo fundus photographs and early phase fluorescein angiographs aided
in the observation of these vessels that might otherwise have been
unrecognized. We believe the method of review accounts for the high
incidence of cilioretinal arteries in our series.
