IOWA RETINA CONSULTANTS What is a retinal artery occlusion? The
retinal arteries are blood vessels that supply the retina with
oxygen. For the retina to function properly, it must have an
adequate blood supply at all times. When a retinal artery
becomes blocked, the portion of the retina supplied by that
artery becomes permamently damaged. The retina that lacks blood
supply becomes whitened shortly after the central retinal artery
becomes occluded. The whitening resolves within the next few
weeks. Are there more than one type of retinal artery occlusion?
Yes. There are two types of retinal artery occlusions: central
and branch retinal artery occlusions. How do the two types
differ? A central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) results when
the main artery that supplies the retina with oxygen becomes
blocked. It causes sudden, severe visual loss. The photograph
below shows retinal whitening that we typically see with a
central retinal artery occlusion. The brownish spot in the
center is known as a "cherry red spot