After experimentally occluding the central retinal vein and artery simultaneously at their point of entry into the optic nerve, acute retinal necrosis occurred, but not hemorrhagic retinopathy. In the retinal vasculature, stagnation of blood flow and thrombosis with subsequent recanalization was noted. The necrosis was extensive in the inner retinal layers but focal in the outer retinal layers. The internal limiting membrane was detached and disrupted in every case. Following the post-edematous stage, numerous micro and macroretinal cysts appeared. The peripheral retina showed much less ischemic changes. A clinico-pathologic correlation was made.