Cilioretinal arteries arise from the short posterior ciliary arteries. They are present in about 30% of normal eyes and can contribute to the vascularization of the macula. In a fluorescein angiogram, a cilioretinal artery is perfused before the central retinal artery.

Cilioretinal arteries may become occluded independently, in association with central retinal vein occlusion, or in the context anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Carotid artery atherosclerotic disease is frequently associated with cilioretinal artery occlusion.