Induction of retinochoroidal venous anastomosis in central retinal vein occlusion with macular edema via a full-thickness retinochoroidal incision.
OBJECTIVE
To report the induction of retinochoroidal venous anastomosis (RCVA) in the treatment of nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with macular edema via a full-thickness retinochoroidal incision.


METHODS
In nine eyes with nonischemic CRVO and intractable macular edema, one or two full-thickness incisions transacting a major retinal branch vein to the level of inner sclera were made in conjunction with vitrectomy. Fluorescein angiography was conducted to evaluate the formation of functional RCVA. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were compared before and after the surgery.


RESULTS
The mean follow-up period +/- SD was 12.0 +/- 5.1 months. All nine eyes developed functional RCVA after the surgery. The mean BCVA +/- SD improved from 0.75 +/- 0.30 logMAR (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) to 0.55 +/- 0.26 logMAR (P = 0.018), and the mean CMT +/- SD was reduced from 686 +/- 265 microm to 251 +/- 150 microm (P = 0.011). Additional surgery was performed on one eye due to persistent vitreous hemorrhage.


CONCLUSIONS
Full-thickness retinochoroidal incision appears to raise the rate of successful RCVA formation and may improve the outcome of CRVO with macular edema.
Kang
Jae Hoon
JH
Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Jae Hui
JH
Kim
Jong In
JI
Kang
Se Woong
SW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014821:Vitrectomy