The optic disk in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with retinal artery occlusion

Two patients who had retinal artery occlusion associated with impaired peripapillary choroidal circulation were followed up ophthalmoscopically, to evaluate the appearance of the optic disk. The first patient showed central retinal artery occlusion, and the second patient demonstrated branch retinal artery occlusion. A peripapillary choroidal filling defect was noted in both cases by fluorescein angiography, suggesting an association with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The first patient exhibited optic atrophy without demonstrating pale disk edema. The second patient showed pale disk edema, but a sectorial defect of disk swelling was noted in the quadrant that corresponded to the area affected by branch retinal artery occlusion.