Which description best matches central retinal artery occlusion?

• A. Sudden, painless, complete monocular vision loss with a cherry-red spot on fundus.
• B. Chronic gradual vision loss with optic disc cupping.
• C. Peripheral vision loss with floaters.
• D. Red eye with discharge and keratitis.

Answer: (A)

Central retinal artery occlusion presents as a sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye, reflecting an abrupt interruption of blood flow to the inner retina. The hallmark fundoscopic finding is a pale, edematous retina with a cherry-red spot at the fovea, where the underlying choroidal blood shows through because the surrounding retina is swollen and opaque. This combination—acute unilateral painless vision loss plus a cherry-red fovea—is distinctive for CRAO. Other scenarios describe different eye conditions (gradual vision decline with optic disc cupping from glaucoma; floaters with peripheral loss from retinal detachment; red eye with discharge from keratitis), but they do not produce the same acute, cherry-red fovea appearance.