ObjectiveTo observe the pathological changes of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) by optical coherence tomography (OCT).MethodsFifty-three eyes of 53 patients who were diagnosed as CRAO in our center between January 2001 to January 2004 underwent the examination by OCT. The intervals between the disease onset and OCT examination were less than 2 weeks. The scan modes of OCT were horizontal or vertical line scan. The locations of scanning were macular, posterior pole of retina, optical papilla and the focus of bleeding or exudation.ResultsThe OCT pathological changes of CRAO in vivo includes increase of retinal thickness and reflex of retina, width of dark layer of photoreceptor (edema), edema or cystoid edema of fovea, retinal bleeding, cotton-wool spot and papilla edema. Four patients who had ciliary retinal artery showed normal retinal structure in the supply region of ciliary retinal artery.ConclusionOCT can display the pathological changes of retinal tissues in CRAO in vivo, especially on the old patients or the patients with systemic disease who were contraindicated by FFA. The unique OCT image of pathological changes of CRAO supply the objective signs for the instant clinical diagnosis.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:74-78)