Cholesterol emboli in retinal arteries

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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.