Retinal vasculature structure and function

Abstract

SummaryThe human retina has a complex vascular supply. The inner retina including the retinal ganglion cells is supplied by the retinal circulation, the outer retina including the photoreceptors is supplied by the choroidal circulation. Whereas the retinal circulation is characterized by high vascular resistance, low blood flow rate and high arterio‐venous oxygen difference the choroidal circulation is characterized by low vascular resistance, high blood flow rate and low arterio‐venous oxygen difference. The choroidal vessels are richly innervated and as such blood flow is under neural control. The retinal vessels distal to the central retinal artery are not innervated. The optic nerve head has a particular vascular supply: the anterior vessels receive their input via the central retinal artery, the posterior vessels receive their input via the posterior ciliary arteries. An overview of the anatomy and physiology of the ocular vasculature is provided.