Purpose To review studies focusing on cilioretinal arteries (CLRA) in order to assess
the overall prevalence and establish the prevalence of CLRA in a Hungarian Caucasian
population. Methods #1 Systematic literature review of published studies with at least
100 participants. Methods #2 Non-mydriatic digital colour photographs were taken of
1000 consecutively enrolled healthy Caucasian young adult volunteers. Images were
graded by two trained independent observers. Number and location of identified cilioretinal
arteries were recorded and statistically analysed. Results #1 Prevalence of CLRA ranges
from 6.9% to 49.5%. Detection with fluorescein angiography yields the highest values
followed by fundus photography and ophthalmoscopy. Unilateral presence of CLRA is
between 70.30% and 93.65%, and temporal location is between 80.77% and 100%. Results
#2 We found at least one CLRA in 36.5% of the participants and in 22.75% of all the
examined eyes. Cilioretinal arteries (CLRA) were unilateral in 75.34% and bilateral
in 24.66%. Of all the identified CLRA, 96.16% were originating from the temporal rim
of the optic disc. We identified at least one temporal CLRA supplying the macula in
28% of the participants and 16.95% of the examined eyes. Conclusion Prevalence of
CLRA varies depending on identification method. Unilateral presence is unequivocally
more frequent similarly to temporal location. From a risk of bias standpoint, high-quality
studies are rare. Our data on the distribution pattern of CLRA are similar to that
in the international literature. Based on our findings, we assume that slightly more
than one-third of the Hungarian Caucasian population has a CLRA.
