A young man had an occlusion of the cilioretinal artery. Recirculation in the vessel was established within 48 hours. The retinal damage has been permanent with no improvement in visual acuity. Fluorescein angiography during the stages of occlusion and established recirculation have been described. Vascular spasm of a short posterior ciliary artery due to smoking is the likely causal factor. The site of obstruction and the hemodynamic factors have been discussed.