Experimental retinal vascular occlusion. III. An ultrastructural study of simultaneous occlusion of central retinal vein and artery.

The retinal changes following the simultaneous occlusion of retinal vessels were examined at an ultrastructural level. The preservation of endothelial cells that prevented leakage of blood and horseradish peroxidase tracer material in the surrounding retinal tissues explained the lack of hemorrhages observed clinically. Mueller cell death resulted in severe structural disorganization of the retina, with disruption of the inner limiting membrane, involvement of the outer retinal layers, and fleurette formation. The retinal macrocysts were derived from ischemic infarction.