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