Cotton-wool spots (CWSs) refer to localized accumulations of axoplasmic debris in the retinal nerve fibre layer that result from interruption of ganglion cell axon organelle transport.1 The histologic hallmark is the cytoid body, which represents the terminal swelling of a disrupted ganglion cell axon that has expanded and accumulated mitochondria and other organelles and subcellular material.1 In an otherwise healthy person, even a single CWS is considered abnormal, and it is recommended that investigations for underlying systemic disease be initiated.
Cotton-wool spots (CWSs) refer to localized accumulations of axoplasmic debris in the retinal nerve fibre layer that result from interruption of ganglion cell axon organelle transport.1 The histologic hallmark is the cytoid body, which represents the terminal swelling of a disrupted ganglion cell axon that has expanded and accumulated mitochondria and other organelles and subcellular material.1 In an otherwise healthy person, even a single CWS is considered abnormal, and it is recommended that investigations for underlying systemic disease be initiated.