Radial optic neurotomy for central retinal vein occlusion: long-term retinal perfusion outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the long-term changes in retinal perfusion and functional improvement induced by radial optic neurotomy (RON) in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO).


METHODS
Sixty-three eyes of 63 consecutive patients with CRVO were included. Twenty-eight (44.5%) patients underwent RON and 35 (55.5%) were followed as a control group. Time of arteriovenous transit and visual acuity were determined at baseline and after 1-year follow-up.


RESULTS
After 1 year, retinal perfusion status improved in 63.1% of operated eyes and 14.3% of controls (p = 0.048). The improvement in arteriovenous retinal transit was statistically significant (p = 0.023) only in the RON group. The visual improvement in the RON group was significantly better (p = 0.043) than in the control group. Moreover, the development of chorioretinal anastomosis was significantly higher (p = 0.036) after RON than in controls and correlated with better functional results. In operated eyes there was a lower incidence of CRVO-related complications.


CONCLUSIONS
RON improved retinal perfusion and achieved a better functional outcome. The measurement of perfusion changes as presented here may be useful for monitoring CRVO and assessing other treatment modalities.
Callizo
Josep
J
Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Kroll
Peter
P
Mennel
Stefan
S
Schmidt
Joerg C
JC
Meyer
Carsten H
CH
D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012161:Retinal Artery / Q000502:physiology*; D012169:Retinal Vein / Q000502:physiology*; D012170:Retinal Vein Occlusion / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology