Simulation of the growth pattern of the central retinal artery using a fractal modeling technique

Assisted by computer, we simulated the typical growth pattern of the central retinal artery by a fractal modeling technique. When processing was started with two fertile sides, an iterative processing function generated a ramiform fractal. The branching angle was chosen at random within a certain range. In addition, a feedback restriction forbade any intersection of branches. We demonstrated that the curved shape of the temporal vessels is caused by simultaneous growth of the vessels and the retina. When processing was begun with only one fertile side, the typical vascular pattern of a retinal coloboma was designed.