Natural course of perfused central retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the visual prognosis in perfused (nonischemic) central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), to determine the frequency of conversion from perfused to nonperfused CRVO, and to identify risk factors for poor visual outcome.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Retina referral centre in Portland, Ore.


METHODS
Fifty-eight patients (59 eyes) with perfused CRVO followed for at least 1 year (average 2.5 years).


METHODS
Visual acuity, progression to nonperfused CRVO.


RESULTS
At the final follow-up visit the visual acuity had improved by two or more lines in 9 eyes (15%), remained the same in 33 eyes (56%) and decreased by two or more lines in 17 eyes (29%). Factors significantly related to visual outcome were initial visual acuity (p = 0.0001) and age, older patients having a worse visual outcome (p = 0.0029). Nine eyes (15%) progressed to nonperfused CRVO. None of the factors analysed, including age, sex, duration of symptoms and initial visual acuity, were predictive of progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Perfused CRVO frequently results in significant, permanent visual loss, and a poor visual outcome is most likely in older patients and those with poor initial visual acuity.
Chen
J C
JC
Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal, Que.
Klein
M L
ML
Watzke
R C
RC
Handelman
I L
IL
Robertson
J E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010477:Perfusion; D011379:Prognosis; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*