Hollenhorst plaques – Mechanism of formation, Clinical significance
- Hollenhorst plaques are cholesterol emboli that are lodged in the retinal artery
- They appear bright, yellow and refractile
- Mechanism of formation – They originate form atheromatous plaques in the carotid artery containing cholesterol and fibrin
- Auscultation of the carotids may reveal a bruit
- Clinical significance – Hollenhorst plaques indicate a previous ischemic event in the eye (such as TIA)
- It is important to identify and treat the underlying condition
