Retinal fluorescein angiographic evidence for atheromatous microembolism. Demonstration of ophthalmoscopically occult emboli and post-embolic endothelial damage after attacks of amaurosis fugax.

There is evidence that microemboli responsible for amaurosis fugax may be atheromatous but it can elude ophthalmoscopic confirmation, because such emboli quickly fragment and disappear from view in the retinal vessels. This report documents 2 patients in whom fluorescein angiography of the retina provided evidence of microembolization after an attack of amaurosis although the fundus appeared normal. In one patient the angiogram revealed intraluminal material; in the other it showed fluorescein leakage from patent arteriolar bifurcations.