Retinal blood flow in nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
The authors studied the changes in retinal blood flow (RBF) and oxygen reactivity in a major temporal vein in patients with central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).


METHODS
Eleven patients with nonischemic CRVO approximately 7 weeks from onset of disease.


METHODS
Laser Doppler velocimetric measurement of RBF and vessel reactivity to inhaling 60% oxygen. Measurements were performed at baseline and 3 months.


RESULTS
Flow velocity in the affected eye had increased significantly by 3 months, from 1.6 +/- 0.4 cm/second to 2.0 +/- 0.4 cm/second (P = 0.02). Retinal blood flow, however, remained unchanged (13.7 +/- 5.8 microl/minute versus 15.0 +/- 6.5 microl/minute). The two comparable RBF values, despite differing velocity values, suggest that the relatively normal baseline value was achieved through higher intravascular pressure at baseline (Bernoulli's principle). This is supported by the fact that oxygen reactivity had improved from 2.1% +/- 3.6% at baseline to 3.8% +/- 3.1% (P = 0.001) at 3 months, which suggests an improved ability to respond to hyperoxia from reduced intravascular pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravascular pressure in CRVO appears to continue to decrease during the first 5 months after the onset of CRVO, indicating continuing reduction in the degree of outflow obstruction during this time.
Chen
H C
HC
Diabetic Retinopathy Unit, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, England, UK.
Gupta
A
A
Wiek
J
J
Kohner
E M
EM
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006801:Humans; D018496:Hyperoxia / Q000503:physiopathology; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000503:physiopathology*
D010100:Oxygen