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.
Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Josep
J
Callizo
Peter
P
Kroll
Stefan
S
Mennel
Joerg C
JC
Schmidt
Carsten H
CH
Meyer
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