The occipital pole is an anatomical landmark that corresponds to the posterior portion of the occipital lobe. It is formed by the convergence of the superior and inferior occipital gyri in the majority of individuals; the middle occipital gyrus also contributes when it is present.

The [[occipital pole]]s are particularly vulnerable to diffuse [[hypoxia]]
(( Hoyt WF, Walsh FB. Cortical Blindness with Partial Recovery Following Cerebral Anoxia from Cardiac Arrest. Arch Ophthalm. 1958; 60:1061–1069));
attested to by cases of [[cortical blindness]] after [[cardiac arrest]]
((Weinberger HA, van der Woude R, Maier HC. Prognosis of Cortical Blindness Following Cardiac Arrest in Children. JAMA. 1962; 179:126–129)).
[[Hypotension]] superimposed on compromised [[PCA]] circulation (from herniation or elevated [[ICP]]) may thus increase the risk of postgeniculate [[blindness]].
((Arroyo HA, Jan JE, McCormick AQ, et al. Permanent Visual Loss After Shunt Malfunction. Neurology. 1985; 35:25–29)),
((Lindenberg R, Walsh FB. Vascular Compressions Involving Intracranial Visual Pathways. Tr Am Acad Ophth Otol. 1964; 68:677–694)).