Cholesterol emboli in retinal arteries

Abstract

Cholesterol emboli in retinal arteries associated with stenosis of the internal carotid artery is given as the cause of episodes of transient monocular blindness in 2 patients. Cholesterol emboli may also be responsible for ischemic episodes in the cerebral circulation. In these cases anticoagulant therapy would be of no benefit. In a patient with atheromatous plaques of the internal carotid arteries, cholesterol emboli could be given off at intervals over the years producing an accumulative effect. The distribution of these emboli in a circtnate form around the macula, each related to a macular capillary, would suggest a possible etiological cause of some cases of retinitis circinata.