This 46YO visually asymptomatic male presented with bilateral cilioretinal arteries.
The inner two-thirds of the neurosensory retina is supplied by the central retinal artery, with the choroid supplying the RPE and photoreceptor layer. Cilioretinal arteries, which arise from the posterior choroidal circulation, are present in up to 50% of individuals, and bilateral in about 25% (Schneider et al, Acta Ophthalmologica 2021;99:e310-e318).
Our patient is unique in that their left cilioretinal artery supplies virtually the entire macula. If he were unlucky enough to be the one in 50,000 people per year who develops a central retinal artery occlusion (Leavitt et al, AJO 2011;152:820-823), these vessels would most likely preserve macular function.
