Arteriosclerotic retinopathy

Retinal disease caused by arteriosclerosis.

In this condition, the arterioles (small arteries) in the retina become partially blocked because of thickening of their walls.

Using an ophthalmoscope, a doctor can see the thickened arterioles and other indications of diminished blood supply to the retina.

(The characteristic features include narrowed tortuous arterioles with a 'copper wire' appearance, scattered small hemorrhages and sharp-edged deposits with no edema around them.) As a general rule, arteriosclerotic retinopathy does not damage vision, although it is a danger signal that the blood vessels in the body are arteriosclerotic and that steps are badly needed to prevent the progression of the disease process