Association of cilioretinal artery perfusion length with central visual acuity and vascular circulation in central retinal artery occlusion

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of varying lengths of cilioretinal artery perfusion on central visual acuity and fundus angiography circulation time in patients with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). Methods A retrospective analysis included 582 CRAO patients, including 87 patients with cilioretinal arteries. Cilioretinal arteries were classified by direction into nasal and temporal groups, with the temporal group further subdivided into four subtypes based on the optic disc-macula distance (DMD): 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, and 4/4 DMD. Differences in basic information, visual acuity, and circulation time among the groups were analyzed. Results Patients in the 4/4 DMD group were the oldest among the temporal subgroups ( P < 0.05). The 4/4 DMD group demonstrated the best BCVA, while the Nasal-1/4DMD group had the worst ( P < 0.05); notably, 13.33% of patients in the 4/4 DMD group had no light perception. There was no statistically significant difference in the circulation time of four groups (both arm-retinal circulation time and retinal trunk-to-branch filling time, P > 0.05). Conclusion CRAO patients with cilioretinal artery supply less than 1/4 DMD have poor outcomes. 4/4DMD group was associated with better visual outcomes, but extensive macular perfusion by the cilioretinal artery did not invariably prevent severe visual loss during the acute phase.