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There is evidence from the literature that suggests erythrocyte rouleaux, seen to form under favourable conditions (such as reduced blood flow) in vitro, may also occur in vivo, leading to a possibility of rouleaux influencing the transmission of light through tissue. This pilot study investigates the transmission of light through occluded tissues of human subjects, horses and sheep with a view to greater understanding of rouleaux formation in vivo, and its effect on light transmission through tissue. The paper supports the evidence that occlusion may cause rouleaux formation in vivo, but the association between rouleaux formation and light transmission changes during occlusion is complex, and occlusion may have effects on light transmission beyond the formation of rouleaux. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]