In CRAO, the macula appears on exam as which of the following?

In CRAO, the macula appears on exam as which of the following?

• A. Copper wiring
• B. Hollenhorst plaque
• C. Cotton-wool spot
• D. Cherry red spot

Answer: (D)

In central retinal artery occlusion the inner retina becomes pale due to acute ischemia, while the fovea remains relatively thin and is supplied by the choroidal circulation underneath. This preserved choroidal color contrasts with the whitened surrounding retina, producing the classic cherry red spot at the macula. The other signs listed relate to different retinal conditions (for example, copper wiring from chronic hypertension, Hollenhorst plaques from emboli, or cotton-wool spots from nerve fiber layer infarcts) and do not describe the macular appearance in CRAO.

In central retinal artery occlusion the inner retina becomes pale due to acute ischemia, while the fovea remains relatively thin and is supplied by the choroidal circulation underneath. This preserved choroidal color contrasts with the whitened surrounding retina, producing the classic cherry red spot at the macula. The other signs listed relate to different retinal conditions (for example, copper wiring from chronic hypertension, Hollenhorst plaques from emboli, or cotton-wool spots from nerve fiber layer infarcts) and do not describe the macular appearance in CRAO.