The ophthalmic artery branches off into the<unk>  retinal artery which travels with the optic nerve until it enters the eye. This<unk>  retinal artery provides nutrients to the retina of the eye, more specifically the inner retina and the surface of the optic nerve. Variations, such as branch retinal artery<unk> , can also occur.<unk>  is most often due to emboli blocking the artery and therefore prevents the artery from delivering nutrients to most of the retina. These emboli originate from the carotid arteries most of the time but in 25% of cases, this is due to plaque build-up in the ophthalmic artery. The most frequent site of blockage is at the most narrow part of the artery which is where the artery pierces the dura covering the optic nerve. Some people have cilioretinal arterial branches, which may or may not be included in the blocked portion.
Central retinal artery occlusion
Branch retinal artery occlusion
Branch retinal vein occlusion
Retinal vasculitis
Central retinal vein occlusion
Arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Posterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Ischemic optic neuropathy